France, Belgium: Activists nationwide to stage vehicular convoy protest converging on Paris Feb. 11-12 and Brussels Feb. 14

Event

Activists in France plan to stage a series of mass vehicular convoy demonstrations through at least Feb. 14, with motorcades of protesters first converging on Paris from various parts of the country before proceeding to Brussels in Belgium. Dubbed the "Convoi de la liberte," the purpose of the action is to demand that all COVID-19 restrictions be lifted and to condemn vaccine mandates, as well as to show solidarity with the truckers' protests currently taking place across Canada.

Although organizers are still working to solidify route and timing details, preliminary information indicates that individual convoys could begin moving from areas in France located further away from the capital as early as Feb. 7. The motorcades will be synchronized to arrive in Paris at approximately the same time during the evening of Feb. 11, with participants staging demonstrations in the city center on Feb. 12-13. The demonstrators will likely depart Paris late in the day Feb. 13 and travel to Brussels, where a large rally will take place Feb. 14. Similar convoys of varying sizes are also slated to arrive in the Belgian capital from other European countries on the same date.

Authorities will almost certainly deploy an increased police presence at strategic locations along anticipated convoy routes, with particularly elevated security postures in central Paris 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, particularly if groups with a history of confrontational tactics such as the Gilets jaunes (Yellow Vests) join the demonstration.

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 on Feb. 14; at least four such columns of vehicles are slated to arrive in the city from the Netherlands at about 13:00.

Advice

Allow extra time to reach destinations in affected areas of France and Belgium through at least the end of the day on 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.