The city of Brussels has decided to ban the Vlaams Belang protest meeting in the capital next Monday. This has been reported by the cabinet of Brussels mayor Philippe Close. Vlaams Belang announced on Thursday evening that it is going to the Council of State against the ban.
“After an analysis by the police, it was decided that the proper conduct of both the meeting of Vlaams Belang and the counter-demonstration could not be guaranteed,” says the office of the mayor of Brussels. That is why the mayor has decided to ban both manifestations.
The large protest meeting is part of the walk of Vlaams Belang chairman Tom Van Grieken from Ostend to Brussels between 19 and 29 May. With the slogan “Make them listen!” he wanted to speak to as many people as possible along the way. The walking tour was to result in a large protest meeting in Brussels on Whit Monday, at 2 p.m. on Albertinaplein near Central Station.
The party announced on Thursday evening that it will appeal to the Council of State against the decision to reverse it. Chairman Van Grieken also emphasizes that the meeting will continue. “We will not let Flemish people be silenced and we will not leave it at that,” said the chairman. “Our protest meeting will continue, whether the politicians in Brussels like it or not!”
Van Grieken also talks about “a mockery of freedom of expression”. “Nobody believes that this decision was made for anything other than political reasons.”
