Clashes with police followed the European Democracy Demonstration against health measures.
About 50,000 demonstrators marched Sunday, Jan. 23, in Brussels, Belgium, to protest against restrictions related to the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a count by authorities.
Participants carried signs criticizing Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and the health pass. We could see new references to Nazi Germany could be seen, such as a star with a QR code on the heart, or portraits of the Belgian prime minister with mustaches reminiscent of Hitler
Around 2pm police intervened to protect the European institutions when some buildings and vehicles were damaged. There were several scuffles during the demonstration. In the late afternoon clashes between activists and police were still ongoing.Authorities used tear gas and water cannon to disperse the crowd, which had gathered in the area where the European institutions are located. Police vehicles were also targeted by the protesters. Police made about 70 arrests. Three police officers and twelve rioters were taken to hospital.
The organizers, including the World Wide Demonstration for Freedom and Europeans United for Freedom, want to defend “democracy, human rights and respect for the Constitution”.
Europeans United for Freedom believes on its website that the spread of Covid-19, the related saturation of hospitals and the death of people in poor health do not justify derogating from the fundamental freedoms guaranteed by democracy. The movement also criticizes the lack of public debate and had invited demonstrators from other European countries to participate in the demonstration on Sunday. French, Dutch, Polish and Romanian flags were visible in the procession.
“The worst disease we imported from China was not the virus, but totalitarianism”.
Photo: Bart Baevegems
