French farmers blocked traffic around Paris’ famous Arc de Triomphe monument with tractors and hay bales, saying the protest was aimed at “saving French agriculture“. French police said in a statement that 66 farmers participating in the protest were detained.
Farmers across Europe have been protesting for weeks over restrictive environmental rules, competition from cheap imports from outside the European Union and low incomes.
Farmers unfurled banners around the Arc de Triomphe monument on the Champs-Elysees in Paris.
THE AIM IS TO SAVE AGRICULTURE IN FRANCE
Farmer Axel Masson said about 100 of his colleagues had gathered “peacefully and law-abidingly” at the main intersection since the morning.
“The Rural Coordination is taking over the Arc de Triomphe in a symbolic and peaceful way,” the farmers’ union said in a statement on its social media account, adding that it was a cry to “save” agriculture in France.
“THE STATE HAS NEVER HEARD OF US”
The post emphasized that “swift action is needed to save 45 percent of our farms in financial distress.”
The farmers stated that they laid a wreath in memory of their colleagues who were driven to suicide due to financial difficulties and said, “The state has never heard us.”
French farmers continued to block roads, set tires on fire and besiege supermarkets, saying they needed more measures after the government promised reforms.
French police said in a statement that 66 farmers participating in the protest were detained.
