Belgium: Controversial far-right visit to Molenbeek Nov. 3

Event

Molenbeek mayor, Françoise Schepmans, banned a far-right rally planned for Friday, November 3, in the Brussels neighborhood. However, rally organizers - Dutch far-right leader Geert Wilders and Belgian anti-immigrant politician Filip Dewinter - have announced they will proceed with their plan to visit the neighborhood despite the rally ban, describing their plan as an “Islam Safari” in the Muslim-majority neighborhood, which has become notorious for confirmed links to perpetrators of previous terrorist attacks in Belgium and elsewhere in Europe. Wilders and Dewinter plan to host a press conference at 12:30 (local time) at the Parliament building, and then walk to Molenbeek at 14:00.

Heightened tensions and increased security are to be anticipated in the Molenbeek neighborhood on the day of the controversial visit, and localized violence is possible.

Context

Molenbeek has been subject to increased scrutiny in recent years after revelations that the authors of the terrorist attacks in Paris in November 2015 and in Brussels in March 2016 were known to have spent significant time in the neighborhood.

Advice

Individuals in Brussels are advised to anticipate heightened tensions and avoid Molenbeek and its surrounding areas, particularly on November 3. Monitor developments to the situation and report any suspicious objects or behavior to the authorities.