French farmers intend to “siege Paris” to extract more concessions from Macron. Hundreds of tractors block the main highways while 15,000 police and gendarmes are deployed.
The symbolism of the siege of Paris is considerable. This is no longer a provincial or rural protest, but rather one that approaches the center of political and media power, and makes it more visible and intimidating. The countryside movement, which began two weeks ago in the south of France and has since spread throughout the territory, enjoys broad popular support.