Rioters hijack protest against French-speaking education cuts and police violence
Brussels police made eight arrests during incidents that occurred on Monday afternoon and evening on the margins of a demonstration against police violence and cuts to French-language education. Officers were pelted with objects on several occasions, and police seized various items that could be used to start fires.
Several activist groups had called for a peaceful demonstration on Monday in response to widespread reports of police violence during protests against education cuts the previous Thursday and Friday. The demonstration itself was largely peaceful, but incidents broke out on its fringes.
Following the conclusion of the rally at Place Poelaert in Brussels, a group sought confrontation with the police by throwing objects at officers. The police eventually intervened, using tear gas and water cannons.
"Among other things, barricades were erected using scooters and bicycles, which were then set alight," said police spokesperson Linda Camarero-Verde. "During checks at various locations, certain individuals were also found to be in possession of items that could be used to start fires, including petrol cans and Molotov cocktails. These were seized, and eight people were arrested."
Law to hold rioters liable
In response to the vandalism of recent days, Interior minister Bernard Quintin is pushing for the swift adoption of a law requiring rioters to pay for the damage they cause. The proposed legislation, part of the federal government's coalition agreement, would also allow for bans on demonstrations and hold those who cause damage personally liable.
"I will always defend democratic freedoms, and certainly the right to protest and freedom of speech," Quintin said in a statement. "But that must never lead to the use of violence or the causing of damage in our capital. The spiral of violence must stop. Everyone must respect public order."
The protests began last Thursday, when the parliament of the French-speaking Community was due to vote on a sweeping austerity plan for the education sector projected to save a total of 300 million euros over the coming years.
The measures include a 10 per cent increase in teaching hours for teachers in upper secondary education without compensation, a stricter sick leave regime for permanent teaching staff, and tighter rules governing the end of teachers' careers.
Despite the protests, the measures were approved at the end of a 14-hour parliamentary session on Friday morning.
© BELGA PHOTO ERIC LALMAND
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