Brussels was in the grip of a major demonstration in favour of Catalan independence on Thursday. Brussels police counted 45,000 demonstrators.
They came by bus, car and coach, bringing their children and dogs, draped in the flag of Catalonia and with their yellow ribbon symbol pinned proudly to their chests. Some marched with prams others drove their mobility scooters towards the park where Carles Puigdemont was due to speak.
Organisers claimed at least 50,000 Catalans had travelled the 1,200km to Brussels to bring the heart of the city’s European Union quarter to a standstill. Belgian media reported the number to be at least 20,000.
They marched en masse, some in mobility scooters, others in prams and several with dogs wearing Catalan flags, through the Brussels drizzle and past the headquarters of the European Commission.
“The weather is poor here,” said Joseph Teixidor, 42, a banker, “But the people are warm.”
Joseph, 42, his physiotherapist wife Laura Planes, 38, and their daughter Sara, 6, had driven for a total of 12 hours, with an overnight stop in France dividing the seven and five-hour stints behind the Wheel.
Josep said: “We are here because we want the EU to listen to us. Carles Puigdemont is our elected president and he is still our elected president.”
The European Union has greeted the Catalan independence movement’s cries for help with either deafening silence or solid statements of support for the Madrid government. Some protestors held posters of Jean-Claude Juncker, the commission president, with the word “Shame” emblazoned above him.
“We are also here for our political prisoners. That is why we have come,” he added.
The demonstration caused significant disruption in the Belgian and Flemish capital with metros unable to cope with the flow of passengers.
Around 11:30 the demonstrators left the Jubel Park and headed along the Renaissancelaan, the Kortenberglaan, the Stevinstraat, and the Etterbeeksesteenweg before making for the Jean Rey Square. Drivers were urged to avoid the European District. The Reyers Tunnel was closed.
Belgium's governing Flemish party, the N-VA, has sounded its support for the Catalan demonstrators. "We are all Catalans today" lawmaker Peter Luyckx said adding "it is unacceptable that today in Europe there are political prisoners locked up."
“The weather is poor here,” said Joseph Teixidor, 42, a banker, “But the people are warm.”
Joseph, 42, his physiotherapist wife Laura Planes, 38, and their daughter Sara, 6, had driven for a total of 12 hours, with an overnight stop in France dividing the seven and five-hour stints behind the Wheel.
Josep said: “We are here because we want the EU to listen to us. Carles Puigdemont is our elected president and he is still our elected president.”
The European Union has greeted the Catalan independence movement’s cries for help with either deafening silence or solid statements of support for the Madrid government. Some protestors held posters of Jean-Claude Juncker, the commission president, with the word “Shame” emblazoned above him.
“We are also here for our political prisoners. That is why we have come,” he added.
The demonstration caused significant disruption in the Belgian and Flemish capital with metros unable to cope with the flow of passengers.
Around 11:30 the demonstrators left the Jubel Park and headed along the Renaissancelaan, the Kortenberglaan, the Stevinstraat, and the Etterbeeksesteenweg before making for the Jean Rey Square. Drivers were urged to avoid the European District. The Reyers Tunnel was closed.
Belgium's governing Flemish party, the N-VA, has sounded its support for the Catalan demonstrators. "We are all Catalans today" lawmaker Peter Luyckx said adding "it is unacceptable that today in Europe there are political prisoners locked up."
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