Halle protesters unite against corporate land grabs threatening family farms
Around 50 people gathered in Halle’s market square on Saturday to protest against large agribusiness and land investment firms. The demonstration, organized by the Working Group on Peasant Agriculture (AbL), carried the slogan ‘Take a Stand! Town and Country United for Diversity’ and called for stronger protections for family farms.
Protesters criticized the growing influence of corporate agriculture, particularly highlighting a recent case where an Australian investor acquired 20,000 hectares of arable land in eastern Germany. They demanded a legal ban on such ‘share deals’, arguing these transactions threaten local family farms and rural communities.
Speakers from different backgrounds addressed the crowd. Jessica, representing the AbL, stressed how family farms foster social cohesion and sustainable practices. Jan Brunner, also from the AbL, called for solidarity to resist societal division and support peasant diversity. A representative from the Free Workers’ Union (FAU) condemned capitalism and warned against the rise of far-right movements. Madlen, a member of the Green Party, urged political leaders to prioritise biodiversity, climate action, and the expansion of organic farming. Demonstrators held banners with messages like ‘Right-Wing Turnips Must Be Uprooted’ and ‘Transformation Only Works Through Solidarity’ to reinforce their demands.
The protest in Halle focused on protecting small-scale family farming and opposing corporate land grabs. Organizers and participants called for policy changes to secure fairer land distribution and support sustainable agriculture. No political parties were officially linked to the event.
