09 May 2019 | 08:55 AM UTC
Belgium: Climate change protests in Brussels and other urban centres May 9 /update 1
Climate change protests in Brussels and other urban centres May 9; heightened security presence and traffic disruptions possible
Event
The "Youth for Climate" student group is planning to hold demonstrations in Brussels and other urban centres on Thursday, May 9. In Brussels, the protest is slated to begin at 10:30 (local time) at Bruxelles-Central. In Mons, protesters are expected to gather at 13:00 at Place Leopold. Similar protests are expected to take place in other urban centres, notably in Anvers.
Furthermore, a related climate change protest is scheduled to take place in Brussels on Sunday, May 12. The protest is slated to begin at 13:00 at Gare du Nord train station and conclude at 17:00 at Parc du Cinquantenaire.
Further such protests are likely to take place until European parliamentary elections, set to take place on May 23-26. A heightened security presence and traffic disruptions are likely on the days of the protests.
Context
The climate protests have been held in Belgium since September 2018, notably in Brussels, to demand that states who signed the Paris Agreement in 2015 commit to reducing their greenhouse gas emissions which contribute to global warming.
Advice
Individuals in Belgium are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all protests and demonstrations as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.
