Belgium: a demonstration against the violent arrest of a black woman turns into a riot
A protester in Liège, while clashes broke out between protesters of the Black Lives Matter movement and the police, in Liège, March 13, 2021. AFP - JOHN THYS
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A demonstration of the “Black Lives Matter” movement turned into a riot on Saturday March 13 in the city center of Liège.
In the afternoon, a dozen police officers were injured and hospitalized, and windows were smashed in clashes that lasted more than three hours.
In question, the violent arrest of a black woman Monday, March 8.
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With our correspondent in Brussels,
Laxmi Lota
There were two
demonstrations authorized
Saturday in the city center of Liège: one for culture, the other to denounce the violent arrest of a
black
woman
.
About 300 thugs infiltrated the rallies and attacked the police for several hours.
"
The situation suddenly escalated
," said a witness.
There were passers-by, old people and all those thugs,
”throwing cobblestones, shoes or bottles.
The reason for the clashes: an amateur video in which we see two police officers knocking a woman down, pinning her to the ground and keeping her lying down using their knees.
A scene that recalls
the arrest of George Floyd in the United States
, in May 2020.
The scene took place in Liège on Monday March 8.
It is not known what happened before the tackle on the ground, but the images raised questions and anger among the population: an investigation has been opened.
The woman is a caregiver who allegedly refused to show her identity papers, the police explaining that she would have "
bitten them and that there was contempt of officer
".
►
See also: United States: George Floyd's family obtains $ 27 million in damages
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