WARSAW:.
Thousands of farmers rallied in the Polish capital, burning tires and throwing firecrackers as they demanded an end to cheap imports and environmental regulations they say are damaging their livelihoods.
“Behavior that threatens the safety of our officers, including throwing paving stones at them, is not to be taken lightly and requires a firm and decisive response.”
A Reuters witness saw police pepper spray a protester holding a Polish flag and another throw an object at police shortly afterwards.
Earlier on Wednesday, some of the protesters carried and then burned a coffin with the words “farmer, lived 20 years, killed by the Green Deal” as they thronged the street above before marching to Parliament.
Television footage showed tractors on the outskirts of Warsaw blocking entry into the city and farmers blocking roads elsewhere in the country.
The farmers, who fulfilled their promise to return to Warsaw after thousands of them marched through the city a week ago, were supported by Poland’s largest trade union NSZZ Solidarnosc, as well as hunters and forest workers.
The Prime Minister invited farmers’ leaders to the meeting on Saturday.
