French farmers stormed an agricultural exhibition in Paris on Saturday. French President Emmanuel Macron had just arrived at the stock exchange when things got out of hand. Farmer union members stormed one of the gates and clashed with security guards.
The Agricultural Salon is an annual meeting in the French capital and is often attended by the president. Macron was at the fair to attend a breakfast meeting with farmer unions. Dozens of police officers were present inside to secure the meeting.
The invading peasants demanded the departure of the French president and insulted him. There were already prior rumors that farmers wanted to prevent Macron from visiting the stock exchange.
The farmers had set the beginning of the exhibition as a deadline for the French government to meet their demands. They believe they face too many rules and too little financial security, partly due to competition from cheaper Ukrainian agricultural products.
Macron initially wanted to debate farmers at the fair. This was canceled after the unions said they would not be present.
0:46Angry French farmers storm the stock exchange ahead of Macron's arrival
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