Farmers start fire at Schuman metro station
The latest in a series of demonstrations by farmers against EU agricultural policy took place in Brussels today (Tuesday 26 March). Police said that 250 tractors gathered on the Wetstraat and on the Luxemburgplein in front of the European Parliament. Farmers threw firecrackers and a policeman and a firefighter were slightly injured. The protesters also started a fire at the entrance to the Schuman metro station.
The demonstration started at around 10.30. Around 250 tractors gathered on the Wetstraat and on the Luxemburgplein in front of the European Parliament. Tension came to a head at around midday when farmers started to pelt the police, emergency services and journalists with eggs and firecrackers. One policeman sustained cuts and burns and a firefighter was slightly injured.
Police used water cannon and teargas again against the demonstrators. The farmers started several fires including one at the entrance of the Schuman metro station. They also threw hire scooters and bicycles from a bridge.
Meanwhile, on the Luxemburgplein farmers planted several trees and built a large straw doll. They also reportedly vandalised CCTV cameras that are in place around the square.
