VIDEO. VIDEO. A demonstration by tens of thousand of Covid-19 opponents turned into a confrontation between the police and the citizens of Brussels.
During the demonstration, which brought together tens to thousands of people, clashes were held against police officers and opponents of the Covid-19 Pandemic pandemic. Check out these images:
The authorities claim that around 50,000 protestors marched in Brussels, including some from other European nations. This was the largest protest held in the city in recent weeks.
The European Union headquarters was the scene of the clashes. Water cannons were used by police to disperse protesters who were throwing firecrackers or cobblestones.
A few moments later, police officers were bombarded by metal barriers and sought refuge in a Metro station.
Josep Borrell, the head of European Diplomacy, condemned this “Senseless destruction and violence”After masked attackers smashed the glass door of EU Foreign Affairs headquarters,
According to police, approximately 70 people were detained, with a dozen of them being charged with damaging property and throwing projectiles.
Three officers and twelve protesters were taken to the hospital. However, none of them would be in immediate danger.
“Freedom of expression is one of the foundations of our society. Everybody is allowed to voice their opinions.Alexander De Croo, the Belgian Prime Minister, stated in a statement.
“But our society will never accept indiscriminate violence, let alone towards our police forces. Those involved this Sunday will be prosecuted”He added that he regretted it, while Philippe Close, the mayor of Brussels, lamented in a tweet about his disappointment. ” hard day “ “the physical attacks of which the police have been the victim”.
Demonstrations against the health certificate – required to access restaurants and cultural events in particular – have been taking place regularly for several weeks in the Belgian capital. There had been clashes with police at some of the rallies before.
The World Wide Demonstration for Freedom (WWDF) and Europeans United for Freedom (EUF) had invited European protesters to take part in the event on Sunday. In the procession were flags of Romania, French, Polish, French, and Dutch.
“What has happened since 2020 has made people wake up”Francesca Fanara, from Lille, the north of France, said, “It is wrong.” castigating “a health dictatorship”Adolfo Barbosa, a Portuguese immigrant, stated that “It heats[ait] the heart to see these people here”.