Police in The Netherlands fired gunshots at Dutch farmers who were protesting the implementation of EU-based climate rules on the emissions of nitrogen that threaten the livelihoods of thousands.
On Tuesday evening, police fired what they said were warning and “targeted” shots at a farmer’s protest in Heerenveen in the north of the country. The Friesland police claimed a “threatening situation” had ensued after protesters allegedly tried to drive through the line of police and law enforcement vehicles, necessitating the use of firearms.
The incident, footage of which was widely shared on social media, did not result in any injuries, though three protesters were arrested and one tractor was hit with a bullet, the local De Telegraaf newspaper reported.
The National Criminal Investigation Service (Rijksrecherch) said that an investigation into the incident will be conducted as a result of officers discharging their weapons.
The use of force by the police was condemned by the Farmers’ protest group Agractie, which questioned if “people had to die first” before the government comes to the table to negotiate with the farmers, adding that the situation could have turned out much worse.
ACP police union representative Maarten Brink said that it was unclear from the footage posted on social media what had necessitated the firing of gunshots, saying police officers “never just grab” their weapons without reason.
Video below:
Dutch Police in Heerenveen fire shots at a farmer who is protesting the government’s plan to cut nitrogen emissions by 50-95%. (Read: send cattle to the slaughterhouse). The Greenies appear to have gone nuts. Take a look at the incident:pic.twitter.com/VwEYpPbziR
— Steve Hanke (@steve_hanke) July 6, 2022
Things got so desperate that farmers in Netherland started creating a “Killdozer.”
Photos below:
The Dutch… they are a different breed. pic.twitter.com/htPnu5oXP6
— Keean Bexte 🇳🇱 (@TheRealKeean) July 7, 2022
The “Killdozer” was first used in Colorado when a man turned a bulldozer into a “Killdozer!”
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