Code Rouge activists began a blockade of two TotalEnergies sites in Wallonia at 08:00 on Saturday morning.
The protest aims to disrupt activities at TotalEnergies sites in Feluy (Hainaut) and Wandre (Liège). Activists have blocked a strategic roundabout and the railways used to transport fossil fuels.
The group wants to highlight the anti-environmental decisions made by the company and political leaders in Belgium.
"Amid a climate crisis, TotalEnergies continues to expand its destructive activities. It’s absurd," the organisation stated.
"The fossil fuel industry profits at our expense while ordinary people globally bear the consequences of the ecological and social crisis caused by their activities."
Failed attempt to dilute the protest
Code Rouge also criticised police attempts to dilute the demonstration. "Since Friday, large-scale identity checks have been taking place in stations across Belgium. On Friday night, activists were followed by police and a few were preemptively arrested."
Nevertheless, the majority of participants reached the protest site on Saturday morning.
"The blockade is in place, and people are prepared to remain on these strategic points for at least a few hours. Interactions with the police have been relatively calm so far, which is reassuring," a Code Rouge spokesperson told Belga News Agency.
TotalEnergies had anticipated the protest and its activities are therefore unaffected by Code Rouge's efforts.
"The demonstration is well-managed by law enforcement, and there have been no attempts to intrude on our facilities," according to a spokesperson.
The protests are expected to conclude later today.
