French Farmers Protest and Climate Activists Target Mona Lisa at Louvre Museum
French farmers continue to protest and maintain traffic barricades on major roads across the country. In Agen, southwestern France, farmers dumped slurry, manure, and tires at the entrance of the local state administration building. The protests are in response to various issues, including low wages and the need for better remuneration, less red tape, and protection against cheap imports.
Climate Activists Target Mona Lisa
Amidst the ongoing protests, two climate activists targeted the Mona Lisa at the Louvre Museum in Paris. The activists, wearing t-shirts with “FOOD RIPOSTE” written on them, hurled soup at the glass protecting Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece. They shouted slogans advocating for a sustainable food system and questioned the prioritization of art over the right to healthy and sustainable food.
The incident resulted in the Louvre employees placing black panels in front of the painting and evacuating the room. Paris police arrested two individuals involved in the incident.
“Food Riposte” Group’s Demands
The “Food Riposte” group, responsible for the Mona Lisa incident, accuses the French government of breaking its climate commitments. They call for the establishment of a state-sponsored health care system to ensure better access to healthy food for the public while providing farmers with a decent income.
Government Measures and Prime Minister’s Response
The French government announced measures to address farmers’ concerns, including simplifying technical procedures and gradually ending diesel fuel taxes for farm vehicles. However, farmers argue that these measures are insufficient.
Prime Minister Gabriel Attal visited a farm in Indre-et-Loire and acknowledged the challenges faced by farmers. He emphasized the need for short, medium, and long-term solutions to support farmers and address the issue of “unfair competition” from countries with different production rules. The government promises to make additional decisions in the coming weeks.
Future Protests and Farmers’ Determination
Despite the government’s actions, some farmers plan to converge on Paris and block main roads leading to the capital. Their determination reflects the urgency of finding solutions to support farmers and ensure a sustainable agricultural system in France.