The march, according to the organizers, will start at the parking lot at Plac Defilad, from where participants will walk along Aleje Jerozolimskie, through Rondo de Gaulle, Nowy Świat Street, Plac Trzech Krzyży, up to the Sejm. Then, the protesters will head along Piękna Street and Aleje Ujazdowskie in front of the Prime Minister's Chancellery.
As announced, the protest will start at 11 a.m. and end around 3 p.m. There will be disruptions for residents.
The rest of the article below the video:
The Warsaw Police informs that Temporary street closures may occur along the march route and on cross roads. Particularly serious difficulties may occur at the Dmowskiego Roundabout, where traffic may be stopped completely.
Due to the protest, changes will also be introduced to public transport.
Numerous tram lines will be diverted, including 4, 7, 9, 15, 16, 18, 22, 24, 25, as well as many bus lines: 117, 127, 128, 131, 158, 171, 175, 507, 517, 520, 521 and 525. Later hours, the changes will also affect lines 107, 108, 111, 116, 118, 158, 159, 166, 180 and 503.
Farmers go to Warsaw. “Hundreds of tractors”
What awaits Warsaw today? We can learn more details about this from social media and posts by both industry people and politicians that have been posted there in recent days.
“Hundreds of tractors are heading towards Warsaw for tomorrow's protest against the EU-Mercosur agreement! Let's support farmers in their fight for food sovereignty and the health of Poles!” – wrote Anna Bryłka, an MEP from Confederation, on the X social networking site.
“Let's support farmers in their fight for food sovereignty and the health of Poles!” – he emphasizes.
“Farmers go to Poland for the National Festival. Here is a column of tractors from Namysłów” wrote Konrad Wernicki from the Solidarity Promotion Foundation.
“This is the last chance to support them before the EU decision. Stop Mercosur,” we read.
Monika Chlebosz, journalist and publisher at the agricultural portal farmer.pl, informs that although “tractors are not allowed to enter the city, but farmers from all over Poland have already reached the collection points near the city and will soon be on their way to the capital“.
The mentioned ban is something that the Warsaw authorities remind us about. It must be recalled that in many places in the city, entry to tractors and slow-moving vehicles is prohibited.
The restrictions apply to, among others, the following streets: Okuniewska, Trakt Brzeski, Patriotów, Walcownicza, Wał Miedzeszyńskiego, Przyczółkowa, Puławska, Aleja Krakowska, Aleje Jerozolimskie, Kasprzaka, Wolska, Połczyńska, Górczewska, Arkuszowa, Pułkowa and Modlińska. Breaking these regulations may result in an inspection and a fine.
Not for Mercosur. Reasons for the protest and farmers' demands
The farmers' demonstration is related to the planned vote in the EU Council regarding the trade agreement with Mercosur countries.
However, as representatives of the Grassroots National Farmers' Protest emphasize, their demands go beyond opposition to this agreement. According to them, the government is not implementing the arrangements that were presented during the meeting with Prime Minister Donald Tusk at the beginning of the term.
Sławomir Izdebski, chairman of OPZZ Farmers, points out that Farmers expect, among other things, the launch of the “Sow plus” program supporting pig breeding, changes in the hunting economy in the context of the fight against ASF, easier construction of warehouses without permission above 300 square meters, and clear rules for directing financial aid only to farmers who actually carry out production.. Izdebski also points out that agricultural communities were not included in the process of creating the draft act on the “active farmer”.
Dialogue with the government and the president's position
Farmers declare their willingness to meet the Prime Minister, but they do not intend to talk to the Minister of Agriculture because – as they claim – he has not shown the will to dialogue. In turn, the Ministry of Agriculture replies that the protesters did not submit a formal proposal for a meeting, but a possible request would be considered.
President Karol Nawrocki declared his readiness to receive a delegation of protesters at the Presidential Palace. The head of the president's office, Zbigniew Bogucki, said that the head of state wants to listen to farmers and declare support for activities aimed at ensuring Poland's food security.
