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.