The "freedom convoys" demonstrate in the center of Brussels on foot
Audio 01:19
Demonstrators near the headquarters of EU institutions to protest against Covid-19 related restrictions as part of the European Freedom Convoy 2022 in Brussels, February 14, 2022. REUTERS - YVES HERMAN
Text by: RFI Follow
1 min
The “freedom convoys” intended to do as in Canada and elsewhere: block traffic in the Belgian capital.
But the authorities had banned motorized convoys, so several hundred people from different European countries marched on foot.
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With our special correspondent in Brussels,
Murielle Paradon
A helicopter flies over the procession in the pouring rain.
On the road, a few hundred demonstrators are pushed back by police officers who prevent them from approaching the buildings of the European Commission.
In the parade, a majority of French, like Lilian, a little exceeded by this muscular device.
"
They don't even scare us.
We're not aggressive, we're not punks, we're not here to smash or black block.
We are here because we claim the right to be free and it is still part of democracy to be free and to demonstrate at the same time.
»
They demonstrate against the health rules imposed on them, but refuse vaccination.
Some graze with conspiracy theses and say they are rejected.
share the same ideas
Adam is happy to find like-
minded people in this
European convoy .
"
Me, I haven't been able to talk to anyone about any subject for two years and there, in two minutes, with all the people I've met for four days, we can discuss all the subjects without taboos, without be afraid to ask yourself
"am I going to be judged or not"
.
People seem to have regained a humanity.
It feels like family.
And there, we all left for years of resistance, because that's it in fact.
»
The rather heterogeneous and unpredictable movement could continue in the coming weeks
►
To listen and read also: "Convoys of freedom": who are they?
A political force in power?
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