Farmers came to protest when they learned about the minister’s arrival at the Green Party meeting. The police intervened and the farmers grabbed stones. Government limousines were hit.
The German Greens had to cancel their annual Ash Wednesday meeting in Biberach, Baden-Württemberg, due to farmer protests. Federal Minister of Agriculture Cem Özdemir was scheduled to attend the event. There were clashes between farmers and the intervening police forces. The police used force and one person was detained, Agrarheute reports.
Two protests
According to reports, upon learning of the minister’s arrival, columns of tractors and trucks from several directions started heading towards Biberach in the morning. As a result, the meeting of the Greens was disrupted by two protests: farmers and carriers. In addition to Özdemir, Baden Prime Minister Winfried Kretschmann, federal leader of the Greens Ricarda Lang and former federal environment minister Jürgen Trittin were to speak at the Greens’ “Political Ash Wednesday”.
Stones and clubs
It is known that the protesting farmers demanded a conversation with Özdemir, and it took place. Farmers did not like the minister’s statements, and shouting and whistles interrupted the dialogue. Further reports are not clear, but it is known that there were violent clashes between protesters and the police. The demonstrators allegedly threw stones and destroyed one of the government cars. The police used batons and gas against the farmers.
They are injured
Reports indicate that the police detained one person. Several people were reportedly injured in the incident. Three officers were among the injured. The police initiated an investigation into violations of the right to assembly.
According to the accounts of the participants that appeared in the German media, the incident was provoked by the police who were the first to use gas. Earlier, there were several instances of verbal altercations and scuffles with policemen who made it difficult for farmers to protest peacefully.
Unions “wash their hands”
Agricultural unions have firmly distanced themselves from yesterday’s events. They argue that representatives of industry organizations also had an appointment with the Minister of Agriculture on the occasion of his arrival. The talks did not take place because for security reasons, the meeting and the entire Green party were canceled.
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