Ghent (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Code Rood climate protesters have established a blockade in front of Cargill’s facilities in Ghent’s port area to stop food deliveries. A group of demonstrators took action against the agro-industry, but Cargill functions as a producer of food and agricultural products.
Food company Cargill faces blocking at its port facility in Ghent by Code Rood activists as part of their opposition to agro-industrial systems. The demonstration focuses mainly on Cargill, which produces food and agricultural products on a massive scale.
Hundreds of activists joined the action while police officers maintained a strong presence at the scene, according to Belgian news agency reports. White-suited activists display banners that read “Feed people not profit” while participating in the protest. The demonstration belongs to a broader fight against agribusiness that Code Rood calls a “mass action of civil disobedience.”
“Mass action of civil disobedience against agribusiness,”
The climate activists of Code Rood, the action platform for civil disobedience, announce their plans for this weekend on their website.
The group is taking action in solidarity with farmers.
“That industry is making huge profits at the expense of farmers, consumers and the climate,”
Says one of the spokespeople.
The action is directed against the company Cargill, a major trader in agricultural products. Activists in white suits block the entrance to the company.
“Feed people, not profit”, reads one of the banners.
“Among the activists are also farmers,”
Says one of the spokespeople for Code Rood.
“For the first time, farmers and climate activists are joining forces.”
What is the background of the protest in Ghent?
Code Rood protests at Ghent’s port belong to a rising international protest wave that challenges the agro-industry because activists believe farmers receive unfair treatment from the industry while it damages the environment and selects monetary gain above sustainability measures. The major agricultural trade corporation Cargill comes under constant criticism because of its worldwide food production leadership position. The strategic port of Ghent has experienced similar protests in past years since it serves as a vital point for agricultural exchanges.
Code Rood has focused on civil disobedience campaigns in the past while targeting fossil fuel infrastructure, yet it is now leading its first protest against agro-industry operations. The demonstrations involve farmers to showcase the competitive pressures small-scale producers experience when defending against corporate control in the agricultural sector.
