Policing farmers'protests in France: how to deal gently with violent people

• In Event: Farming, Fear, and Frustration: How crime and unrest is considered in the rural context

Abstract

In January 2024, a series of demonstrations and road blockades began in France, lasting several weeks. As well as obstructing the free circulation of people, the protests included violent acts such as explosions in administrative buildings, arson attacks on public buildings and the destruction of goods in road transport vehicles. Compared to the police treatment of the riots in the suburbs in June 2023, or even the yellow jackets protests of 2018-19, or the demonstrations against the law on pensions, what is striking is the great leniency with which the government and police forces have treated the farmers. Of course, this refers to the positive image farmers have in public opinion, but also to the influence they have over the government.
We will therefore look at how rebel groups are policed using a softer strategy that contrasts with what the police are used to. This calls into question the paradigm of a systematically violent police force and reintroduces the issue of the protester's personality into policing.
From a broader perspective, we will also examine farmers' behaviour outside demonstrations, and in particular their relations with the gendarmes, who are responsible for policing the countryside, and with the environmental police. Interaction with the latter also involves violence that is fairly tolerated by the authorities.

Author

• Christian Mouhanna, CNRS CESDIP