Two Polish citizens were arrested during a farmers’ protest in Strasbourg where French police used tear gas and water cannons.
Arrests During Protest
Two Polish citizens were arrested during Tuesday’s farmers’ protest in Strasbourg, according to Radio ZET. French authorities used tear gas and water cannons during the demonstration. The protest, held on January 20, was against a trade agreement signed last weekend between the European Union and Mercosur.
Mass Demonstration by Farmers
Several thousand farmers from France and other countries, including Poland, gathered in Strasbourg. Around noon, demonstrators reached the European Parliament, with approximately 800 tractors entering city streets and ring roads, causing traffic paralysis. EU buildings where protesters gathered were secured by numerous French police units.
Farmers Seek EU Support
In the morning, farmers met with European Commission representatives and MEPs who will decide Wednesday on referring the agreement to the EU Court of Justice. “We need you to support this resolution,” said Arnaud Rousseau, head of the French farmers’ union FNSEA. “It’s about checking whether this agreement complies with EU law.” Farmers fear unfair competition from cheaper South American imports despite opposition from several European countries, including France and Poland.