[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Suhwan] A large-scale protest involving more than 30,000 citizens took place in Brussels, the capital of Belgium, to oppose the reintroduction of COVID-19 prevention measures. Clashes broke out between protesters and police attempting to suppress them, resulting in the arrest of dozens of citizens. Both protesters and police sustained injuries. As COVID-19 spreads rapidly across European countries, governments are tightening restrictions, leading to an intensification of protests against these measures.
According to the Associated Press on the 21st (local time), approximately 35,000 citizens participated in the protest, according to police estimates.
The protest began peacefully but turned violent late in the afternoon when several hundred protesters attacked police, damaged cars, and set fire to trash bins.
Some protesters also threw smoke bombs and fireworks at the police.
The police responded with tear gas and water cannons. Injuries occurred during this process, and some individuals were arrested.
The protesters carried a large banner reading "Together for Freedom" and chanted "Freedom, Freedom, Freedom."
One citizen was seen carrying a placard that read, "When violence becomes law, resistance is our duty."
The Belgian government had gradually eased lockdowns since this summer, further relaxing restrictions in early October as the number of confirmed cases and hospitalizations decreased and vaccination rates increased. However, with the recent surge in cases, regulations such as expanded vaccine certificate requirements and mandatory remote work were reinstated.
Currently, Belgium's daily average of new confirmed cases exceeds 13,000, approaching the highest level recorded in October last year.
In recent days, many European countries have witnessed protests against the government's tightening of restrictions.
In the Netherlands, protests were held in The Hague and other locations on the same day, where some protesters set bicycles on fire and threw stones at the police. Around 40 people were arrested during these events.
Authorities used water cannons and even deployed police dogs to suppress the protesters.
Clashes between citizens and police also occurred during protests held the previous day. Three people were injured by police gunfire and are currently hospitalized. Additionally, five police officers were injured during confrontations with protesters.
On the 19th, violent incidents occurred during protests in Rotterdam, where police gunfire resulted in three injuries.
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