Lille, France - May 17, 2024

A dramatic protest unfolded in the heart of Lille on May 17 as three citizens, waving a banner that read "Food Riot", climbed to the highest bell tower in Europe and set off orange flares to highlight their demands for a radical change in the country's agricultural and food policies.

The protest comes just days after the National Assembly began debating the proposed Law on Agricultural Orientation (LOA), a move that critics have slammed as a "gift to agro-industrialists" that will facilitate the construction of massive fish farms and factory farms.

The protesters, who claimed to be representatives of the "Food Riot" movement, accused the government of prioritizing the interests of agribusiness giants over those of citizens, farmers, and the environment. They called for urgent action to curb the influence of organizations like the FNSEA agricultural union and to place the needs of people and planet at the forefront of decision-making.

"We demand a radical alternative to the current food model, one that prioritizes sustainability and social justice," said a spokesperson for the group. "We need a new approach to food production that puts people and planet first, not just profit margins."

The protesters are urging lawmakers to adopt a new approach to food security, modeled on the 1946 social security system, which would prioritize fair prices, quality produce, and local food systems.