A Drenthe director of the National Police Union calls destruction and violence during farmers’ protests intolerable. Jos Ubels from Andere, vice-chairman of Farmers Defense Force (FDF), disapproves of the violence, but understands that it has come to this. Both responded to throwing fireworks at the fire brigade on Monday evening during farmers’ actions on the A28 near Meppel. The Drenthe Safety Region announced yesterday that it had filed a report.
“Let me start by saying that police officers understand very well that farmers are demonstrating and are concerned about their future. Demonstrating is a great right in the Netherlands. That should come first. But that does not include destruction and violence,” says Albert Springer, board member of the Dutch Police Union. “The moment the minister says that the police must take action against this, then the police will take action against it.”
According to FDF vice-chairman Ubels, the farmers did not act out of a desire to be rebellious. “They did that because they see no way out. The suicide rates in the agricultural sector have risen by 42 percent. In that light, I am not saying that violence is condoned, but it seems that politicians are now using the police as a catch-all between the discussion with the farmers.”
Watch the reactions of Albert Springer and Jos Ubels (story continues below the video):