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Brussels braces itself for ‘freedom convoy’ 

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The so-called Freedom Convoy is making its way to Brussels today (14 February). Following demonstrations in Paris, the convoy moved to Lille yesterday evening (13 February) where police reported that around 1,300 vehicles had gathered. 

No request was made for an authorization to demonstrate, leading the Mayor of Brussels Philippe Close, the President of the Brussels Region and Minister of the Interior to ban the demonstration. Close tweeted: “We have taken the decision to ban the 'Freedom Convoy' which has not been authorized to demonstrate because no request has been sent. Means are put in place to prevent the blocking of the Brussels-Capital Region.

“The police zones, with the help of the federal police, will divert motorized vehicles coming towards the capital despite the ban. This collaboration between the three levels of power aims to impact public order in the capital as little as possible.”

There is also concern that similar groups protesting in The Hague, Germany and other places may also join the protestors. 

Brussels police urged people not to travel into Brussels by car today. The city has dealt with a series of anti-vaxx protests, which have included violent elements that have vandalised EU buildings and businesses in the European quarter of the city. 

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The group is communicating through groups on Telegram. Like its Canadian/American counterpart it is highly organized and is closely linked to far-right extremists and movements like the yellow jackets (gilets jaunes) in France. Indeed, a gilets jaunes organizer was arrested in Paris on Saturday. The Telegram groups are full of conspiracy theories on 'Big Pharma', Bill Gates, Davos, Soros and allegations of child trafficking by politicians - familiar conspiracies to those working on disinformation.  

The protest comes as Belgium has relaxed almost all its COVID requirements, as of last weekend, ending the telework obligation, a closing time for pubs and restaurants and allowing the reopening of nightclubs.

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