Police evict undocumented people from squat in Anderlecht, despite protests
The police has on Friday morning used a water cannon and batons to disperse activists at the Luchtvaartsquare in Anderlecht. Around 300 people tried to prevent the eviction of about 70 undocumented people, including 15 children. By midday, everyone had been evicted from the building in question.
A former trade union building at the Luchtvaartsquare in Anderlecht has been occupied by a group of undocumented persons for several months. The owner, Staring Real Estate, wants to renovate the property and convert it into a hotel. An earlier attempt to evict the occupants at the end of August was called off at the last minute, but the bailiff had set a new date for today.
According to the Zone Neutre collective, which supports the undocumented persons, there is a concrete prospect of rehousing, but more time is needed to achieve this.
A large bouncy castle was set up in front of the main entrance to the building, intended to hinder the police. The police used a water cannon and dismantled the bouncy castle. Batons were also used and images emerged of an activist with a bloodied head. Two activists had chained themselves to the door of the building. “The police acted with extreme violence and even used dogs to disperse the protesters,” the Zone Neutre collective stated.
The police were eventually able to enter the building. By midday, everyone had been evicted from the complex. Some people had already moved out. Others are now being transferred to other squats in the neighbourhood.
The mayor of Anderlecht, Fabrice Cumps, has spoken out against the eviction on several occasions, but says he must abide by the law. “The mayor has no legal authority to intervene in an eviction based on a court decision,” he said. “The police themselves determine how and under what conditions they will intervene.”
Police disperse activists protesting against eviction undocumented people from squat in Anderlecht © BELGA PHOTO JONAS ROOSENS + © BELGA VIDEO MAX LOHEST