7,500 protesters at final climate march before the elections
Around 7,500 people took part in what was the last climate march before Sunday’s European, federal and Flemish election on Friday afternoon. The march was part of “Global Strike for Future” a worldwide series of demonstrations designed to draw attention to the issue of climate change.
The Brussels demonstration was organised by Youth for Climate and was supported by a number of organisations including Student’s for Climate, Grandparents for Climate, and Workers for Climate and Teachers for Climate.
The first demonstrators arrived at the Kustberg in Central Brussels at around 11am. Some carried flags of political parties and organisation such as Amnesty International, Natuurpunt and Bos+. Meanwhile, Greenpeace activists had gathered in front of Brussel Central Railway Station.
The march ended at Thurn & Taxis where there were concerts from acts including Absynthe Minded, Alice on the Roof, Tourist LeMC, Slongs and Jaune Toujours.
1,000 demonstrators in Antwerp
A march also took place in Antwerp. Around 1,000 people took part. They chanted slogan against (amongst other things) the climate policies of the city’s Mayor Bart De Wever (Flemish nationalist). On Friday a total of 1,600 climate demonstrations took place in 119 countries.