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Far-Right Belgian Party’s Protest Marred by Vehicle Displaying Nazi Symbols
Tuesday 29 September 2020, by
The Belgian far-right party, Vlaams Belang, organized a demonstration on Sunday that attracted between 4,500 and 5,000 cars to protest the establishment of a Vivaldi federal majority. In the procession there was a pickup truck bearing Nazi symbols, an image that was widely shared on Twitter.
The party president, Tom Van Grieken, says he is satisfied with the success of the demonstration, while some Internet users say they are outraged that among the aligned vehicles, there was one bearing Nazi symbols. It is marked on the vehicle the slogan in German "Wer plündert, wird erschossen". This is a quote from a war poster that literally means: "Whoever loots is shot." The eagle and the red symbol also refer to Nazi imagery, reports 7sur7.be.
Under the criticism of Internet users, Vlaams Belang returned to the incident, explaining that security cannot see everything, even with the greatest professionalism. "There were 15,000 people present and the Twittersphere preferred to focus on this car. This kind of character is marginal, in the literal and figurative sense. He is not welcome," condemned Tom Van Grieken, the president of Vlaams Belang, before adding that it is regrettable that such an isolated case spoils the image of the demonstration. "There is no place for racism and this kind of message at Vlaams Belang. If it were up to us, these people would not be welcome," said Jonas Naeyaert, spokesman for the party.