86 arrested in prison construction protests in Brussels

About 90 people staged a protest at the building site for a big new prison in Haren this morning. No fewer than 86 were arrested by police. Demonstrators had chained themselves to block the entrance to the site. "Stop maxi-prison now!" was one of their slogans. Activists said it was a non-violent protest, as they tried to prevent trucks from entering the site. They want the construction to be halted immediately, claiming it will not solve the overpopulation in Belgian prisons. They would prefer a big park at the site, instead of some green space being taken away. The works started last January.