09 May 2021 | 09:42 AM UTC
Belgium: Activists to protest in Brussels May 9 to denounce police brutality
Activists plan a demonstration in Brussels, Belgium, May 9 to denounce the excessive use of force by police; localized disruptions likely.
Event
Activists are planning to protest in central Brussels May 9 to denounce the alleged use of excessive force by the police. Participants will gather at 14:00 near Porte de Namur, before moving to Mont des Arts, where they will rally from 16:00-17:30.
Police will likely deploy to monitor the protests. The presence of large numbers of people and associated security measures could prompt localized disruptions. Current COVID-19 measures in Belgium restrict public gatherings, and police will likely single out individuals deemed to be breaching these restrictions; arrests are possible. Any significant violations of COVID-19 protocols could prompt police to disperse the protest and lead to isolated clashes. Bystanders are unlikely to be targeted in any violence but would face an indirect threat.
Advice
Avoid the protests as a routine security precaution. Allow extra time to complete journeys in the vicinity of the protest venues. Leave the area at a first sign of a confrontation.
