Protesting Farmers Travel in Convoy
In a display of resistance and solidarity, multiple tractor processions took place in Naechstebreck, Oberbarmen, and Remscheid, Germany, during mid-June 2025. These events were part of a broader demonstration known as the "No Kings" movement, a counter-event to former U.S. President Donald Trump's military parade in Washington D.C., celebrating the Army's 250th anniversary and coinciding with his 79th birthday [1][2].
The tractor processions, symbolising opposition to Trump's administration and advocating for constitutionalism and anti-authoritarianism, attracted farmers and other participants who visually and practically blocked areas as a form of peaceful protest [3]. In Remscheid, a private individual announced a gathering at Schuetzenplatz that started at 10 AM, with the procession commencing at around 12:45 PM from Hoelker Field in Naechstebreck [4].
The procession made its way through Naechstebrecker Street, the B7, Morian Street, Gathe, and Uellendahler Street, before returning to the starting area at around 17:15 PM [4]. During the procession in Remscheid, approximately 160 vehicles, including many agricultural vehicles, were involved, causing multiple road closures and brief disruptions to individual traffic [5].
Despite the disruptions, the gatherings ended peacefully and in compliance with regulations, with the Remscheid gathering concluding around 13:30 PM [6]. The police escorted the processions and directed traffic around the incidents or rerouted it during the gatherings [7]. However, the police did not report any details about the purpose or participants of the unannounced gathering on the A46 at Oberbarmen [8].
Three criminal charges were filed in relation to the gathering in Remscheid [9]. While some tractor-related events in Germany could be linked to local agricultural activities or other celebrations, in this context, the tractor processions in Naechstebreck, Oberbarmen, and Remscheid specifically align with the anti-Trump "No Kings Day" protests, expressing political dissent and calling for the defence of democratic principles [3][4].
In the aftermath of the "No Kings" movement demonstrations, discussions about potential impact on various sectors were initiated. The tractor processions, representing an unusual form of protest in Germany, raised questions within the industry, finance, and transportation sectors regarding the possibility of similar events in the future. Furthermore, the significant number of agricultural vehicles involved in the Remscheid procession might signal a growing alliance between farmers and anti-establishment movements, potentially leading to new dynamics in the agricultural finance landscape.
