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January 5, 2017

Defiant French Volunteer Faces Prison and Fines for Aiding Migrants
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In France, a trial is underway for a French farmer who faces up to five
years in prison for helping migrants cross the border from Italy. Cédric
Herrou also faces a 30,000-euro fine if he's found guilty of aiding
illegal arrivals. About 300 demonstrators rallied outside a courthouse
in Nice Wednesday as the trial got underway. Herrou says he led a team
of volunteers who provided food and shelter to the migrants, and
accepted no money in return.

Cédric Herrou: "There are rights to be respected. They have to respect
the law like I do. I broke the law because these people are pushing me
towards illegality in order to protect the rights of these children and
these families that I've taken across the border. I had to break the
law. And if I have to continue, I will continue."

Last month, Herrou was elected "Person of the Year" by Nice's main
newspaper. He's the latest to face charges for assisting migrants. Later
this week, a court will decide the fate of a man who faces a six-month
suspended sentence for giving a ride to three Eritrean women who crossed
the border from Italy.


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