Farmers across the Netherlands have continued to protest the nation’s draconian climate change policies that will destroy the livelihoods of thousands of farmers. Dutch farmers have used farm equipment to block entrances to food distribution centers, highways and airports. The ongoing protests have led to empty supermarket shelves across the nation.
The protests, which began in earnest on July 3, have erupted in response to a new policy that will force Dutch provinces to reduce emissions anywhere between 12 and 70 percent depending on area. Agricultural areas have been the hardest hit, with the government even admitting that there will be no way to fully compensate the farmers. Among measures the government will be taking includes a massive reduction in the number of cattle farmers will be allowed to manage and the outright buying of farms.
Prime Minister Rutte’s government is moving forward with the new measures in order to meet the EU’s emissions goals.
In response, Dutch farmers have mobilized across the nation. According to one protester, the movement is taking cues from Canada’s Freedom Convoy, which sought to end Canada’s draconian vaccine mandates. The peaceful protest movement was eventually crushed by the Trudeau government in a brutal crackdown, while its leaders have been treated as terrorists.
“I think that lots of people got inspired by the Freedom Convoy in Canada, way before the COVID protests started in Holland,” a farmer told Counter Signal. “So lots of people followed the truckers in Canada. And a-lot of those people are joining these convoys now to support the farmers.”
Dutch farmer says he and others were inspired by the Canadian Freedom Convoy pic.twitter.com/bkJE43XK9c
— The Counter Signal (@TheCounterSgnl) July 6, 2022
Dutch farmers have now blocked highways, airports, food distribution centers and government buildings for days on end. Some German farmers have joined their neighbors in order to block a border crossing. That protest is ongoing as of Thursday.
As a result of the protests, Dutch Supermarkets are reporting empty shelves. A number of mobile phone videos uploaded to social media show empty shelves in numerous parts of the country.
https://twitter.com/newsblogmedia/status/1544616056123265024
Distribution centers and supermarket chains are blocked everywhere. The shelves are almost empty. No farms, no food. Dutch farmers wins. pic.twitter.com/lhLfiym18N
— RadioGenoa (@RadioGenoa) July 4, 2022
In the town of Leeuwarden, farmers have converged from across the country in order to demand the release of a 16-year-old farm boy who was fired upon by police. The teenager, identified as Louke, is being accused of attempted manslaughter despite video evidence showing he was driving away from officers.
Despite driving away, one of the officers fired multiple rounds at Louke’s tractor. One bullet missed his head by a matter of centimeters.
Nonetheless, he is currently being held in a police station in Leeuwarden, prompting the protests. The officer who fired on the teenager has since gone into hiding.
Dutch citizens and farmers at Leeuwarden police station to bring home the underage boy whom Mark Rutte's police shot and then arrested last night. The majority of the Dutch support the farmers' protest. pic.twitter.com/lQiAJh1mZO
— RadioGenoa (@RadioGenoa) July 6, 2022
As of Thursday evening, the protests have shown no signs of slowing down. Farmers have begun to burn bales of hay alongside the nation’s highways while border protests appear to be ongoing.
Demonstrations have also appeared to spread among German and Polish farmers as well.
As I drive through the Netherland countryside, I see massive hay stacks of loose hay piled up adjacent to highways. It must have been part of the plan, because with a quick tractor push and lighter, the highways are ablaze. Farmers are not going gently. pic.twitter.com/0LaiMoYNYQ
— Keean Bexte (@TheRealKeean) July 7, 2022
National File will continue to provide updates.