The frustration of the agricultural and livestock sector in Aragon has gone from WhatsApp protests to the creation of a new association
AEGA stands for "Aragón Es Ganadería y Agricultura" (Aragon is Livestock and Agriculture), the new association that has emerged in the wake of sector mobilizations and independently of traditional agricultural organizations and the political sphere. The possibility of agricultural and livestock demonstrations and rallies, which could disrupt travel during Holy Week, is being considered, starting today, to further highlight their demands.
Since February 6th, farmers and ranchers have been gathering and demonstrating to express their discontent with their current situation and policies. Tractor protests have caused traffic jams and delays in cities, roads, and highways throughout Aragon, as well as some tense moments with law enforcement. In addition, statements have been issued and manifestos read on occasion, without any identifying signatures. Until now, there were no official acronyms, only gatherings and demonstrations, usually organized via WhatsApp. But a large number of these farmers and ranchers, outraged by the current situation, were aware of the need for legitimate representatives, with visible faces, to represent them and give voice to their collective demands so they could continue the fight peacefully but firmly.
Initially, they organized themselves into groups across the regions. Now, this association (AEGA) has been created, which is already registered and has a tax identification code (CIF), in agreement with the provinces of Zaragoza, Teruel and some areas of Huesca.
Just as in 2011 the 15M movement channeled the general indignation of citizens with the political and social situation at that time, it seems that now the discontent of the countryside is being channeled through new platforms.
Then, all that outrage transformed and led to the creation of new political parties. It's possible that many of those actors have already disappeared from the public eye and that the parties that emerged from that breeding ground have lost strength today, but we mustn't forget that some groups, like Podemos, the best-known name created at that time, have held positions in Ministries, regional governments, and even the Vice Presidency of the country.
It's not difficult to draw parallels between that social outrage and the current discontent within the sector. The AEGA association may be a new piece in this story, which, far from ending, seems determined to continue fighting for the interests of agriculture and livestock farming, outside of the traditional channels that, according to those protesting, are neither working nor providing answers for the sector.
Bearing in mind the saying "history always repeats itself," it's hard not to wonder if AEGA will be to February 6th what Podemos was to the 15M movement. Time will tell.
