Hay bales and waste containers are currently on fire in several places in North Holland. It’s a reaction of farmers to the shots from the police on a tractor last night in Friesland. “Shooting a farmer who is only 16 years old is going too far,” an angry farmer told NH Nieuws.
The Safety Region reports to NH Nieuws that fires have been reported at Lutjebroek, Stompetoren, Medemblik and the exit of the A7 at Abbekerk. The fire brigade is only present at the latter. “Because this is along the highway and bystanders could be bothered by possible smoke developments,” said a spokesperson.
Reporter Tom de Vos stands along the Westfrisiaweg between Oudijk and Blokker. “I see a tractor with a Dutch flag and black smoke clouds from containers.” He says trucks honking are driving by and relatives of farmers are also present to show their support.
“Aiming at a tractor is going too far. That’s why I’m here. For my family,” said a farmer’s brother. Last night at farmer’s protests at the ramp of the A32 at Heerenveen Shot by the police and warning shots were fired at a 16-year-old farmer.
Video by reporter Tom de Vos – NH Nieuws
According to the police, because tractor drivers tried to drive into police officers and official vehicles. Videos of the incident are circulating. “Have you seen the images?” Farmer Ad Baltus from Zuidschermer reacts angrily to NH Nieuws.
He states that the burning of hay bales, also in the Alkmaar region, is not a ‘coordinated’ action, but is discussed in app groups with farmers. “I understand the anger. National politics ignores an entire profession. Then you get these kinds of things.”
Below you can see fire in various places in the region of Alkmaar and West Friesland. Text continues below
fire hay bale farmers protest Beemster
Fire hay bale farmers protest Stompetoren
Farmer protest with burning hay bale Zwaagdijk
Farmer protest with burning hay bale Zwaagdijk
Several farmers stated that the farmers’ campaign along the A32 had already ended and that the police only fired shots afterwards. What if the police really felt so threatened and were forced to shoot? “I just can’t believe that,” Baltus responds. “This kid is only sixteen. Sixteen. He’s a farmer, not a bank robber.”
Also cars outside the police station
Baltus wants to emphasize that he thinks the police should be able to do their job and he disapproves of violence and things that are not allowed by law. Does he address his farming colleagues about criminal behavior? “It’s not up to me, it’s up to the police. I’m an individual farmer. I’m not mad at the police, but at the politics.”
The Alkmaar police have taken precautions at the station: most vehicles have been put outside the fence. This is in view of last week’s farmers’ campaign. Then farmers came on tractors pick up arrested men and the exit was blocked.
“There is only one exit. So as a precaution we have parked vehicles at the Kanaalkade,” said a police spokesman. “This way we can always provide emergency assistance.” She would not say whether there are concrete indications for farmer actions towards the police station.