Thousands March in Brussels Against Racism and Police Brutality, Echoing US Protests

This demonstration, which brought together thousands of protesters in front of the Brussels Palace of Justice, follows the call of the "Belgian Network for Black Lives" (BNFBL) association, reports Lalibre.be. For the spokesperson of this association, Ange Kaze, these protesters are fed up with the police violence that systematically affects African Americans in the United States but also against the same violence here, in Belgium, and against racism in Belgian society.

Very discreet on the spot, the police were present to monitor the demonstration, which was not initially authorized by the mayor of the city of Brussels, Philippe Close. According to the same media, he opposed this classic demonstration as desired by the Black Lives Matter organization to protest against police violence against African Americans. Only a static action was authorized this Sunday, on the Place Poelaert, in front of the Brussels Palace of Justice. They are mainly required to respect the rules of social distancing and to show the sense of responsibility that is required in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic.

In response to the call of the Belgian Youth Against Racism group on social networks, around 750 people also demonstrated against racism on Sunday afternoon in the Albert Park in Ghent. According to the local police, the demonstration took place without incident and they did not have to intervene. In Ghent, the demonstration was not authorized. Consequently, the organizers will have to pay a fine of 350 euros. As for the protesters, they gathered near the statue of King Albert I, in front of which they took off their shoes and observed 8 minutes and 46 seconds of silence, in memory of the time it took for George Floyd to succumb during his arrest. The statue of Leopold II installed in the middle of the park was also soiled several times.