On Tuesday, the police in Groningen arrested two men suspected of using violence during the massive farmers’ protests, held on Monday at the Provinciehuis in the Martinikerkhof, Groningen
The protest was organised by farmers in the province of Groningen, who disagree with measures taken by the province to ensure that they produce less nitrogen.
According to the Groninger farmers, these measures are so severe that their business operations are endangered. However, the province of Groningen believes that the measure is necessary because farmers are responsible for 46% of all nitrogen emissions. These emissions mean that many plants, flowers, insects and eventually meadow birds will disappear.
On Tuesday, 30-year-old campaigner Arjen Schuiling was arrested together with a 39-year-old man from the municipality of Midden-Groningen for their actions during the farmers’ protest.
The 39-year-old man was arrested because he forced the door of the provincial government building with his tractor. According to the police, a 30-year-old man from the municipality of Tynaarlo was arrested because he was a co-driver on a tractor that broke down fences at the Vismarkt, the videos of which have widely been shared on social media.
Previously Schuiling himself made it known that he was the co-driver. Schuiling later led the protest at the Provinciehuis.
On Monday, an 18-year-old man from the municipality of Westerkwartier was arrested because he had run into a police horse with his tractor. The two who were arrested on Tuesday are suspected of public violence.
New conversations with farmers
The Groningen Provincial Executive member Henk Staghouwer will again discuss nitrogen rules with the farmers on Tuesday. However, the farmers may assume that the rules they have been contesting are not being swept aside today, as Staghouwer wants to see where the current policy leaves room for farmers to apply for new permits.
Image via the Groninger Internet Courant
