2022 Brussels protests

2022 Brussels protests
Part of COVID-19 pandemic in Belgium
Date24 January 2022
Location
Brussels, Belgium
MethodsProtest, civil unrest, property damage
Parties
Protesters
Number
50,000+
Casualties
Arrested250

On 24 January 2022, a protest erupted in Brussels, Belgium against COVID-19 rules. More than 50,000 people began the protest at the capital's Nord Station and ended at Sycamorenter Park, near European institutions. On 24 January The demonstration was fixed with the administrators that this demonstration will end at 2 pm, but when it was not done by 3 pm, the police started the action to disperse protesters. Police arrested about 250 people before the breakdown and protested devices in their custody. At the end of the protest, police and protesters were also encountered, in which the police used tear gas and water cannons.[1][2][3]

But a few dozen protesters spread to the surrounding streets, from where government buildings were attacked and many things, including cars and motorcycles, were set on fire, including the European Foreign Affairs EEAS building on Plus Schumacher.[4]

Aftermath

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The European External Action Service also protested in a tweet. The European Union's foreign affairs chief, Josep Borrell, also inspected the items, including the broken door.[5]

Reactions

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Various politicians, including government officials in the capital, Brussels, have expressed outrage at the loss, calling it against the spirit of freedom of expression enjoyed under democracy.[6]

References

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  1. ^ EFE, Source: Clement Lanot; AP (January 24, 2022). "Police use water cannon at Brussels protest against Covid rules – video". The Guardian – via www.theguardian.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ "Police fire water cannon, tear gas at Brussels COVID protest". www.aljazeera.com.
  3. ^ "Video shows police using water cannons on protesters in Brussels - CNN Video". 24 January 2022 – via www.cnn.com.
  4. ^ "Rioters fight Brussels police, smash headquarters of EU foreign service". POLITICO. January 23, 2022.
  5. ^ "@eu_eeas" on Twitter
  6. ^ Cotton, Johnny (January 23, 2022). "Belgian police fire water cannon, tear gas during COVID curbs protest". Reuters – via www.reuters.com.