With a counter-demonstration starting at noon on Place Poelaert, far-right party Vlaams Belang's controversial rally near the Brussels Central Station has also started, though the situation remains calm for now, police have stated.
The protest organised by Vlaams Belang is part of a ten-day walk from Ostend to Brussels (19–29 May) by Tom Van Grieken – leader of the far-right Flemish party's. His action has been carried out under the slogan "Make them listen!". The rally was first banned by the City of Brussels, with mayor Philippe Close arguing the security could not be guaranteed. But after an appeal to the Council Of State by Vlaams Belang, this decision was overturned and the protest was given the go-ahead on Saturday.
The rally will take place at Place de l'Albertine at the foot of the Mont des Arts. The party has called it a demonstration "against the Vivaldi parties," adding that "thousands of attendees are expected". Dozens of people were spotted on the square carrying the yellow flag with a full black lion, often associated with the far-right, at around 14:00.
Credit: Tom Van Grieken
Spokesperson for the City of Brussels/Ixelles police zone Ilse Van de keere confirmed to The Brussels Times that police officers will be present at the demonstration to ensure it goes smoothly. She added that the situation was calm and no incidents had been reported.
Earlier in the day, some 200 protesters took part in Coalition Stand-up's 'Fascists Not Welcome' demonstration, which kicked off at noon on Poelaert Square and is in response to the Vlaams Belang rally. Demonstrators carried placards reading "Brussels against Vlaams Belang" and 'Fascists not welcome."
A demonstration of the Stand Up Coalition against far-right and fascism on Monday in Brussels. Credit: Belga/ Gaelle Ponselet
"Faced with the worrying rise of reactionary ideas and hatred promoted by Vlaams Belang in our country, it's time to mobilise! Its racist, sexist, xenophobic and LGBTQIA+phobic policies reinforce inequalities in society. We cannot allow far-right hatred to be trivialised in the public space," the organisation said in a statement ahead of the protest.
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Vlaams Belang had earlier criticised Close, arguing that he had allowed this counter-demonstration to end near Place de l'Albertine, where it would be rallying, however, the counter-demonstration will be ending at Porte de Hal, a 20-minute walk away.
Van de keere confirmed that 450 people took part in the counter protest, while officers on the ground reported some 1,500 demonstrators at the Vlaams Belang rally.
