Cedric Herrou, a French farmer, is on trial for helping migrants cross the Italy-France border and giving them shelter. If convicted, Herrou faces up to 5 years in jail and a €30,000 fine.
The prosecutor has called for an 8-month suspended sentence. More than 300 people gathered in solidarity outside the courthouse in Nice where Herrou is being tried.
Speaking to reporters, Herrou said:
It’s not up to me to make a distinction between black and white, people with or without papers. It’s not my job. Farming is what I do, my job is feeding people and that’s what I do.