George Simion rejects the allegations: AUR and Călin Georgescu’s supporters did not hijack the farmers’ protest

AUR President George Simion rejects allegations that party sympathizers and supporters of Călin Georgescu hijacked the farmers’ protest held on Tuesday in Victory Square. The demonstration degenerated into violent clashes between protesters and law enforcement.

Speaking on the “Tucă Show” program, Simion said that not only farmers and shepherds took part in the protest, but also dissatisfied people from other social groups, who were accepted by the protest leaders. He rejected associating the protest with Călin Georgescu and mocked allegations concerning the involvement of AUR sympathizers.

The AUR leader did not explicitly condemn the violence, but said he had urged participants not to endanger their safety or their families. Simion compared the protest to the August 10 demonstration, saying that dissatisfaction with the state and the feeling that people are not being heard are similar.

Simion also said that throughout the day he was 200–300 meters from the protest site and did not enter Victory Square in order not to fuel allegations that AUR had taken control of the demonstration. The farmers’ protest ended after clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement.