Netherlands, Belgium: Activists to stage vehicular convoy protest in the Netherlands Feb. 12 and Brussels Feb. 14

Event

Activists in the Netherlands plan to stage a mass vehicular convoy demonstration Feb. 12 to protest COVID-19 vaccine mandates, as well as to show solidarity with the truckers' protests currently taking place across Canada. Individual convoys will depart from specific locations in each province and will converge in the Woerden-Gouda-Alphen aan den Rijn triangle northeast of Rotterdam by 08:00 before driving to an unspecified target location.

Organizers are refusing to disclose most details of the protest campaign in advance; hence, it remains unclear as yet precisely what activities participants will engage in or which routes they will take. Nevertheless, the convoy will ultimately travel to Brussels, Belgium, in time to participate in a large rally planned for Feb. 14. Similar motorcades of varying sizes are also slated to arrive in the Belgian capital from other European countries on the same date. However, Belgian authorities have banned all such vehicular convoys from entering Brussels.

Authorities will almost certainly deploy an increased police presence at strategic locations along anticipated convoy routes, with particularly elevated security postures in central Netherlands and Brussels. Significant traffic disruptions are possible, especially in major cities transited by the motorcades. While the demonstration will probably remain mostly peaceful, clashes between activists and police officers cannot be completely ruled out if convoys attempt to enter Brussels in defiance of the ban.

Context

Activists in several countries around the world have been planning vehicular motorcade protests of varying sizes inspired by the mass "Freedom Convoy" demonstrations launched by truckers in Canada during late January to condemn existing COVID-19 vaccination mandates. Activist groups in a number European nations are organizing convoys to meet up in Brussels Feb. 14.

Advice

Allow extra time to reach destinations in affected areas of the Netherlands and Belgium through at least the end of the day Feb. 14. Plan accordingly for increased crowding on public transportation. Heed the instructions of local security personnel. As a precaution, keep away from any rallies that may materialize or locations where law enforcement personnel appear to be deploying; leave the area at the first sign of any confrontation.