PROTEST IN BRUSSELS AGAINST COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS AMID STRONG POLICE PRESENCE

Sun 19 December 2021:

Thousands of peaceful protesters demonstrated in central Brussels for the third time on Sunday against the Belgian government’s COVID-19 restrictions, which were imposed in response to a spike in infections and the emergence of the concerning omicron variant.

Given how previous protests had sometimes devolved into violence, arrests, and injury, a large police presence was deployed on the streets in anticipation of the crowds.

The marchers, some holding placards that read “free zone,” “I’ve had my fair dose,” and “enough is enough,” were protesting the government’s strong advice to get vaccinated, and included Belgian health-care workers who will have a three-month window to get vaccinated against the coronavirus starting Jan. 1 or risk losing their jobs.

The demonstration in Belgium comes just one day after similar demonstrations in Paris and London. Countries across Europe have stepped up their efforts to combat a new wave of COVID-19 infections sparked by the highly transmissible omicron variant, with the Netherlands leading the way with a nationwide lockdown.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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