Riot police and protesters clashed near Brussels Central station on Friday during a major demonstration organized by the country’s socialist trade unions against the federal government’s proposed budget cuts. While the main rally proceeded peacefully, a smaller faction of demonstrators threw wooden beams, glass bottles, and rubbish bins at officers, prompting a forceful response.
According to reports from The Belgian Times, police deployed tear gas, water cannons, and baton charges to disperse the troublemakers. Authorities emphasized that the violent acts were committed by individuals unrelated to the official protests.
It’s ironic that the police had to use water cannons while people are just trying to make ends meet. Austerity hurts everyone.
Classic move to blame ‘agitators’ while the main protest is peaceful. The union leaders need to control the narrative better here.
I wonder how much longer this tension will last before the government actually addresses these budget cuts with the public.
Tear gas in the city center? Hope everyone stays safe. The anger is understandable, but this helps no one.