Several thousand people take part in Brussels march against racism

Several thousand people marched through the centre of Brussels on Sunday afternoon to protest against racism. The people say that there were 3,850 participants, the organisers of the march say that 8,000 people took part. The march was organised to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination that is observed each year on 21 March. 

21 March is the anniversary of the 1960 Sharpeville massacre when South African police shot dead 69 peaceful protesters in Sharpeville township, 50 kilometres south of Johannesburg.     

The organisers of the Brussels anti-march told journalists that "We want to let it be heard that we won’t allow ourselves to be divided by racism and discriminatory measures and that we will continue to fight for a society in which everyone is equal”.  

"We remember the victims of hatred and terrorism in Brussels and elsewhere. Terrorism seeks to throw up walls and to divide society into “us” and “them”. We will not let this happen.

The demonstration started outside Brussels North Station and passed by Brussels Central Station before going on to the Marollen area of the city. This year’s march was the second time that a demonstration has been held to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.  

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