Switzerland Farmers Demonstration, 1961 (b/w photo)

Soldiers equipped with gas masks and clubs throw tear gas petardes at the rallying farmers in Berne, Switzerland. On November 17, 1961, more than 30'000 farmers participate in a political rally in Federal Square in front of the seat of the Swiss government in Berne. The farmers are demonstrating to express their frustration and anger over falling prices for agricultural produce and the federal government's decision concerning the price for milk. The “March on Berne” started off peacefully but escalated when demonstrators refused to leave Federal Square after the rally and started throwing stones, tomatoes, eggs and vegetables at the small police contingent. The ensuing skirmish turned into heavy street fighting with Berne's police and the military called in for help deploying clubs and tear gas.