Belgium Police Use Water Cannons And Tear Gas To Control Mass Demostrations Against Covid-19 Restrictions

 

Daily Mail: Riot police blast protestors with water cannon and tear gas as thousands march through Brussels demanding end to tough COVID rules as Omicron 'tsunami' hits Belgium with more than 60,000 cases a day 

* Belgian police resorted to using powerful water cannons and tear gas to control mass protests in Brussels 

* Up to 50,000 people today marched through the EU capital to oppose coronavirus restrictions in Belgium 

* Brussels police said 70 people were detained and three officers and 12 demonstrators required treatment 

* Comes after country saw record 60,000 cases a day in what was described as an Omicron 'tsunami' 

* Many EU countries, including Belgium, have seen major protests against Covid restrictions in recent months 

* Prime Minister Alexander De Croo announced on Friday that a 'Covid barometer' will be introduced 

* Barometer will be colour-coded and allow authorities to link coronavirus measures and restrictions to hospitalisation numbers and ICU capacity 

Belgian police resorted to firing powerful water cannons and using tear gas to control mass demonstrations in Brussels against the EU nation's Covid-19 restrictions earlier today. 

Today's protest saw up to 50,000 people demonstrating in the capital of the European Union, including many who had traveled from France, Germany and other European countries to take part and voice their anger. 

Protesters yelled 'Liberty!' as they marched through the streets of Brussels and clashed violently with police, while videos emerged of black-clad protesters attacking a building used by the European Union's diplomatic service, hurling projectiles at its entrance and smashing windows.  

Read more ....  

Update #1: Water cannon, tear gas at COVID-19 protests in Brussels (AP)  

Update #2: Brussels police fire water cannon, tear gas during COVID curbs protest (Reuters)  

WNU Editor: I have a friend who lives in southern Belgium. He is in his early thirties and he has never participated in a demonstration until today.

To me this a red flag. 

When people who are not political start to get involved in protests and demonstrations, it tells me that the general population is becoming frustrated and angry. And in the case of my young friend. He is definitely angry and frustrated.

Update #3: The German government is also worried on the spread and the sheer number of people showing up at these protests .... German Government “Concerned” About Massive Anti-COVID Restriction Protests (Summit News).