Freed activist Bove takes on a new cause
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Minutes after his release from jail yesterday, the anti-globalisation campaigner José Bové took up the cause of France's prisoners.
Addressing an impromptu rally across the road from his jail, Mr Bové declared: "The government says it is getting in touch with French people on the ground. I bring news from the lower-ground." The spokesman for the Confédération Paysanne told some 4,000 supporters gathered outside Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone jail near Montpellier in south-west France: "There are rats in the cells, there is screaming all night. It is impossible to sleep."
He said the prison system was nonsensical. "It doesn't exist to reform [prisoners]; you come out in the same situation as when you went in but with added hatred within."
Mr Bové was jailed on 19 June after being found guilty of damaging a McDonald's outlet in August 1999. His three-month sentence was reduced for good behaviour.
He said he would spend August on his farm in Larzac with his partner, Ghislaine, before returning to campaigning in the autumn. He faces another court case and a possible 14-month sentence for damaging transgenic crops at Montpellier and Nérac.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments