Farmers remain at the blockades – New rally in Larissa for the three detainees

With police riots and tear gas, the government attempted on Sunday to prevent the farmers’ blockades, finding itself in a state of defence and crisis management shortly before the holidays.

This reaction did not deter the farming and livestock community, which is protesting against the delays in the payment of subsidies by OPEKEPE, the Payment and Control Agency for Guidance and Guarantee Community Aid.

Mobilisations continue forcefully, with the E65 motorway remaining blocked by the tractors of farmers from Karditsa, and the Athens–Thessaloniki National Road also remaining closed at the Nikaia junction.

Specifically, the E65 motorway remains blocked today as well, by tractors positioned since Sunday along its length as part of the farmers’ protests.

Traffic bans for all vehicles are in effect at the entrances and exits, in both directions, of the Karditsa interchange of the E65 Central Greece Motorway, as well as along the motorway section from km 72.3 (Sofades interchange) to km 97.3 (Proastio interchange), in both traffic lanes.

The farmers say they are determined to remain at the blockade until solutions are given, while they are planning an assembly today at 17:30 to organise their next steps.

Farmers in Trikala also plan to set up a blockade at the Megalochori junction this coming Wednesday, according to a statement issued by the Federation of Agricultural Associations “I Anixi.”

Athens–Thessaloniki National Road closed at Nikaia

The Athens–Thessaloniki National Road also remains closed today at the Nikaia junction, where Thessalian farmers’ tractors have been stationed since yesterday afternoon as part of the launch of the farmers’ mobilisations.

A strong presence of farmers and agricultural associations remains at the site, while more machinery continues to arrive, with most expected today to reinforce the blockade.

Traffic police continue to divert vehicles through alternative routes to avoid major traffic congestion.

Escalation of mobilisations in Ioannina

Farmers, livestock breeders, and beekeepers of the Ioannina region will hold a new rally today at 18:00 at the Kalpaki junction, escalating their mobilisations.

Yesterday, Sunday 30 November, they blocked the Ioannina–Kakavia National Road for two hours, from 18:00 to 20:00.

Producers stress that today’s call is a continuation of the previous days’ mobilisations and say they are determined to stay on the streets until concrete solutions are provided.

Farmers in Preveza are also expected to take to the streets, with a gathering set for Wednesday, 3 December, in Louros.

Tear gas and police violence

There was massive participation in the first day of the farmers’ mobilisations yesterday, Sunday (30/11), which was marked by intense police repression.

During the protests, farmers faced tear gas, beatings, and three arrests were made. These actions were strongly condemned by the opposition.

“Our struggle has just begun. It was the first victory against police forces, tear gas, and batons. But it isn’t just one victory; we will fight for days ahead,” farmers at the Nikaia blockade shouted, according to larissanet.gr.

Farmers, livestock breeders, beekeepers, and fishermen managed to get their vehicles onto the National Road, while the E65 in Karditsa also remained closed. “United, we are cutting off two major roads so that our demands are met. We will succeed.”

A call was issued from Nikaia for blockades across the country to be reinforced. “As long as they don’t come, they’ll lose their laptops and sofas too.”

Special mention was made of “police authoritarianism,” referring to the extensive clashes that took place in Nikaia and Platikampos, as well as the detentions that occurred.

An elderly farmer and trade unionist was taken to Larissa hospital after being injured by police forces following clashes that erupted at the Nikaia junction on Sunday afternoon, when farmers attempted to break through the police blockade and head onto the Athens–Larissa National Road. Shortly after 14:30, the tractors moved onto the National Road.

Earlier, in Nikaia, police had placed two riot vans blocking the road to prevent farmers from moving forward. However, before tensions erupted, some farm machinery had already moved toward the road, and farmers eventually managed to bypass the police barrier through side roads and reach the National Road.

According to Socratis Aleiftiras, vice president of the Federation of Farmers’ Associations of Larissa and spokesperson, “everything started when the farmers tried to break through the police blockade to get onto the National Road from the Nikaia junction. Farmers began negotiating with the police to allow them onto the PATHE motorway. But then the clashes began, with the police using excessive tear gas, as farmers report and as shown in local media footage.”

A little later, when police forces attempted to detain an elderly farmer and trade unionist affiliated with New Democracy, they injured him and pushed him to the ground, as shown in a NEWS 24/7 video.

According to reports, the injured man already had health problems. An ambulance arrived and transported him to the University General Hospital of Larissa.

“We have repeatedly stated that we will not back down and are determined to get onto the National Road. Now that we have succeeded, we are intensifying our mobilisations,” Aleiftiras stressed.

New rally in Larissa for the three detainees

Police made three arrests on Sunday (30/11) in Larissa during the first day of the farmers’ mobilisations.

Two arrests were made in Platikampos: one for violence against officials and judicial personnel, property damage, and resisting arrest; the other for property damage.

The third arrest, made at the Nikaia junction, concerns assault, violence against officials and judicial personnel, and resisting arrest.

At 10:30 this morning at the Larissa Courthouse, farmers from the Nikaia blockade are gathering again, demanding that their three detained colleagues be released. Charges are expected today under the fast-track procedure.

The prosecutor’s decision regarding the detainees is expected within the day.