2011-06-29 Two days of rage in #Brussels Part 2/2. #europeanrevolution #globalrevolution

July 22nd and 23rd were very important for the political calendar of Europe. The European Commission signed the new adjustments of the Euro-Pact, the rules for the european commonwealth, organized by the European Bank, the IMF and the executive body of the European Union. In Brussels, where the whole summit took place, people went to the streets and squares to manifest their indignation regarding corruption and economical dominance of state affairs.
We have been there and experienced two days of rage in the european political capital.

(Part 2 of 2)

Part 1 here.

PART 2 - THURSDAY 2011 June 23 (Summit at Academie Royale to sign the new rules of the Euro-Pact)

* The Neutral Zone is ruthless

People marched towards the Palais Royale, where a meeting of European politicians and businessmen was planed to take place. In different zones of the city people were arrested (for many hours) trying to reach the "royal neighbourhood", the "neutral zone" of Brussels, where the Ministery of Defense, Federal Parliament, Prime-Minister House, Palais Royale, Academie Royale bureau and other relevant buildings are situated and where the security corps have special permissions to act.

After demonstrations in the area around the "royal neighborhood", some protesters decided to try and enter the 'neutral zone'. Despite the presence of major media channels, reporters, photographers and cameramen, 42 protesters were arrested (official data, confirmed by local police) using violence (tear-gas, batton charges and general physical abuse) while entering the “neutral zone”. According to a police spokesperson the area was surrounded by helicopters and two young people were arrested 'preventively' for 12 hours.

* Human and Press rights violations

According to Belgian law, 'preventive arrest' is not allowed. We spoke with two arrestees and they told us about psychological and physical abuses and violations. They stated that 20 protesters were inside a tiny jail cell that would normally hold a maxium 6 people. Then they were moved into another jail cell, which was the same size, but with 11 more people. For many hours police refused to charge the protesters or inform them about why they had been arrested. Finally a police officer stated that they had been arrested for taking part in an 'illegal gathering'. Among the arrested were also tourists and passers-by.

All the accused of 'illegal gathering' spent 12 hours being “very tightly handcuffed “. At the police station Amigo near the Main Square (Grande Place) of Brussels, the 42 people arrested were physically forced to stay in very uncomfortable positions and some of them got slapped in the face. Psychological pressure was also reported. Some of the arrested attributed the violent behavior to a certain local major officer, who was responsible for the police corps at police station. The arrested were realeased at around midnight.

Unfortunately, almost all of the people filming and taking photos were arrested and their cards/cameras confiscated. At the moment of police action, several major media outlets were present and ignored the event. Testimonies also confirm that a private companies, wich specialize in security and monitoring – assisted the police to evict the area and perform arrests.

* The empire strikes back

The protesters who were able to escape from the scene were hunted across the city. Police tried to arrest protesters that were present in the demonstration in “royal neighborhood” in different parts of Brussels, performing a man 'hunt' with the aid of helicopters and monitoring by private surveillance. People claim to have been pointed and followed by both uniformed and undercover police in the streets of other suburbs, in public parks and train stations, where were obligated to 'run'.

* Two days of rage

In a certain manner, were happy to that we could be present during these two days of rage and report on them. Interstingly, there was the diverse presence at the protests, of old and young people, partisans and non-partisans, employed and unemployed, rich and poor at the demonstrations and actions. It was beautiful to see people take to the streets and use their voices and bodies to flight for their right to live in a more fair, pacific and democratic world.

On the other hand, we also could perceive how police, as a merely tool for political and social order, worked outside the law and don't have respect for (participatory) democracy. Aggression was the only answer protesters received from the Government. Beside trying to have a totally pacific demonstation and persuade politicians, they were ignored by press and the state, offended, some got arrested and wounded.

We hope this report can work as a source of information about current governmental and institutional strategies of coercion in what we view as European 'developed, democratic and free' societies.

Media repercussion:

http://www.lesoir.be/actualite/belgique/2011-06-23/indignes-a-bruxelles-...
http://www.lavenir.net/article/detail.aspx?articleid=245300957
http://fr.myeurop.info/2011/06/28/ma-nuit-de-cauchemar-au-commissariat-2824 (Interesting report written by a woman who got arrested and dennounced physical abuses and humiliation)
http://es.euronews.net/2011/06/22/indignados-en-el-interior-las-instituc...
http://bxl.indymedia.org/articles/2173 (independent media)

Photo:
Democracy Belgian Style by Mediactivista