Scenes from the protest against the EU-Mercosur deal in Athlone organised by Independent Ireland. \ Philip Doyle
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For anybody that says that farming and agriculture is a sunset industry, take a look at some of our pictures from the Independent Ireland protest in Athlone last Saturday.
Seeing all farm organisations stand together was also a great sight, and the numbers at the protest show what can be done when everybody works together.
Independent Ireland tapped into something in Athlone on Saturday. The protest was billed as a one-issue Mercosur protest, but it was about much more than that.
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Mercosur was the topic on everybody’s lips but speaking to farmers on the ground it was more like a rural revolt.
Many farmers I spoke to were resigned to the fact that the deal is going through.
For a small political party with very few boots on the ground, Independent Ireland boxed clever and bringing in all farm organisations was a master move to get the numbers into Athlone.
Credit must go to the organisers, stewards and An Garda Síochana who made sure the protest went off without any hiccups or trouble.
Where to from here? There was still hope amongst some farmers on Saturday that the deal can be blocked in the European Parliament, and all eyes will be on the 720 MEPs and the defections and loyalties that will be demonstrated with that vote.
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For anybody that says that farming and agriculture is a sunset industry, take a look at some of our pictures from the Independent Ireland protest in Athlone last Saturday.
Seeing all farm organisations stand together was also a great sight, and the numbers at the protest show what can be done when everybody works together.
Independent Ireland tapped into something in Athlone on Saturday. The protest was billed as a one-issue Mercosur protest, but it was about much more than that.
Mercosur was the topic on everybody’s lips but speaking to farmers on the ground it was more like a rural revolt.
Many farmers I spoke to were resigned to the fact that the deal is going through.
For a small political party with very few boots on the ground, Independent Ireland boxed clever and bringing in all farm organisations was a master move to get the numbers into Athlone.
Credit must go to the organisers, stewards and An Garda Síochana who made sure the protest went off without any hiccups or trouble.
Where to from here? There was still hope amongst some farmers on Saturday that the deal can be blocked in the European Parliament, and all eyes will be on the 720 MEPs and the defections and loyalties that will be demonstrated with that vote.
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