Brussels, Europe Brief News – A Canada-inspired “freedom convoy” will reach today Brussels, threatening to disrupt the centre. This came in open defiance of a ban issued by the public authorities.
The protest movement opposes anti-coronavirus restrictions and vaccination mandates, as well as soaring energy prices, and follows the example of similar demonstrations that had taken place in Canada, the US, the Netherlands, and already reached Paris.
In choosing Brussels, the city that hosts most EU institutions, protesters intend to elevate their grievances to a European level.
Over 1,300 vehicles gathered on Sunday in France, close to the Belgian border, to prepare for their journey towards Brussels.
Canada-Inspired Protest
Freedom Convoy initially began as a protest against vaccine requirements for lorry drivers travelling across the border into the US.
Anti-Covid rules protesters have advanced toward Paris on Friday in an effort to blockade the French capital, despite a police ban.
The protesters organised online, galvanised in part by truckers who have blockaded Canada’s capital and blocked border crossings.
But the French action has no clear leader or goal. It comes as months of anti-Covid protests against French government vaccination and other anti-virus rules have been waning.
Some of the French groups are threatening to continue their journey to Brussels. They will meet there with drivers from other countries.
Belgian authorities also banned the threatened blockade, and a similar “freedom convoy” plannedfor Friday in Vienna was canceled after authorities banned it.
Brussels Mayor Philippe Close said in a Twitter message that officials decided to ban the ”Freedom Convoy” protest because organisers failed to seek permission to hold the event.
The protests would mirror those of truckers in Canada who have blockaded border crossings and paralysed downtown Ottawa.
