Thousands protest COVID-19 measures in Brussels – POLITICO

Thousands of protesters took to the streets of Brussels on Sunday to march in opposition to vaccines and coronavirus restrictions as Europe stays gripped by a resurgence of COVID-19 infections and nationwide authorities worry demonstrators have gotten extra radical.

Police mentioned some 8,000 took half, a pointy decline from the 35,000 estimated at in the same protest two weeks in the past.

Teams of protesters clashed with police because the cortege reached its vacation spot in theCinquantenaire Park, close to the neighborhood housing European Union establishments. Law enforcement officials used water cannons in opposition to projectile-throwing protesters.

“A bunch sought confrontation with a police roadblock … tear fuel and water cannons have been used,” police spokesperson Ilse Van de Keere mentioned. Officers referred to as on the crowds to disperse at that time, she added.

Police additionally announced on Twitter that they’d begin arresting “troublemakers.”

Belgium’s authorities final Friday tightened sanitary measures in opposition to the pandemic, in a bid to comprise the surge in circumstances overwhelming the nation’s hospitals as soon as once more and touchdown Belgium among the worst-hit countries in the EU. The newest measures embody making mask-wearing obligatory for youngsters over the age of 6, and shutting kindergartens and first colleges from December 20. 

A number of protesters, together with some accompanied by kids, carried placards with slogans similar to “our youngsters is not going to be your guinea pigs.”

Violence additionally flared on the November 21 protest, which had likewise adopted the announcement of stricter measures. After that occasion, Belgium’s counter-terrorism company (OCAD) reportedly warned of radicalization as completely different actions joined forces for the primary time to oppose the federal government’s anti-pandemic measures in a “heated up and polarized” local weather.

“Hate speech in the direction of policymakers, the media and virologists appears to be turning into an increasing number of socially acceptable,” the company cautioned, based on the every day De Standaard.

Largely organized by way of social media, Sunday’s demonstration was billed because the second “nationwide march for freedom.”

Demonstrators held placards studying “vaccines don’t make you free,” and “cease the dictatorship.” They chanted “freedom” and “COVID Security Cross, no thanks!” referring to the federal government’s digital certificates wanted for entry into eating places and pubs or massive occasions. 

Many denounced the “corrupt media” and referred to as for the federal government of Prime Minister Alexander De Croo to resign, with some focusing on Well being Minister Frank Vandenbroucke in specific.

“I can now not acknowledge the society that we live in,” mentioned one participant, who declined to determine herself. “I’ve by no means seen the federal government monitor down wholesome individuals.”

Demonstrators additionally signaled wider mistrust of authorities, with indicators linking the sanitary measures and use of digital instruments similar to QR codes to a weakening of civil liberties.

Related protests have been held this weekend in different European cities. Over 40,000 protesters were reported marching in the Austrian capital of Vienna, whereas 1000’s extra protested in the Dutch metropolis of Utrecht.