BRUSSELS — The headquarters of the European Union braced Monday for the arrival of protests inspired by the “Freedom Convoy” in Canada — but there was so far no sign of large-scale, disruptive blockades.
In the weeks since Canadian demonstrators blocked parts of Ottawa and disrupted cross-border traffic, Europeans opposed to vaccine mandates and other public health measures have rallied online, planning convoys to national capitals and a protest in Brussels.
Though convoys in European countries have for the most part fizzled, several groups converged on Paris over the weekend, temporarily disrupting traffic on parts of the Champs-Élysées despite the deployment of more than 7,000 police officers. Police, who had warned of fines and arrests, used tear gas to disperse crowds.
Stern warnings from national and local authorities in Belgium appear to have dissuaded convoys from elsewhere from entering the heart of the city — at least for now.
Brussels Mayor Philippe Close told public broadcaster RTBF Monday that protesters have not made a request to demonstrate in the city. Those hoping to rally in Brussels can do so in parking lots, he said, but they cannot “take the capital hostage.”
Through early afternoon, the part of the European Quarter where groups hoped to protest did not see significant disruption except for additional fencing and the presence of police checking identification.
Small groups of people milled about near the European Parliament without signs or banners in an apparent attempt to protest without violating the city’s rules. Several people declined to speak to reporters. Some said they were there to protest vaccine passes. One man said he was there “for freedom,” but declined to give his name, citing fear of arrest.
In the Telegram social media channels where the would-be convoys were coordinating, people shared information about vehicles getting diverted to a parking lot outside the city center and urged would-be demonstrators to proceed to the European Quarter on foot.
Late Sunday and early Monday, some members of the French convoy said on social media that they had decided to drive to Strasbourg, the French city that serves as the formal seat of the European Parliament, instead of carrying on to Brussels.
The police presence in both Brussels and Paris underscored nerves in Western capitals about the ability of relatively small groups of protesters to cause major disruption by attempting to occupy parts of cities with vehicles.
Calls for a European response to the stand-off in Canada started in late January. On Facebook, Telegram and other social media networks, those opposed to digital vaccines passes and other public health measures have urged people to block roads in protest.
The groups quickly attracted tens of thousands of members and split off into national-level subgroups for planning. Some are calling for the end of pandemic-related restrictions, while others demand the resignation of national governments.
This type of protest is not new in Europe. In 2018, social inequality and anger over a proposed fuel tax in France helped launch the yellow vest movement, an anti-establishment uprising that saw months of demonstrations. The movement was also exported elsewhere, including to Canada.
In the last two years, some yellow vest groups have joined the anti-lockdown movement, a catchall that has come to include vaccine skeptics, those who oppose pandemic health measures and, in some cases, groups on the far right.
In recent months, large anti-lockdown protests have been held in European cities. On Jan. 23, tens of thousands gathered in Brussels alone.
But a truly pan-European protest movement has struggled to take off offline, perhaps because coronavirus measures vary country to country — and some E.U. countries have started to lift restrictions.
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BRUSSELS — The headquarters of the European Union braced Monday for the arrival of protests inspired by the “Freedom Convoy” in Canada — but there was so far no sign of large-scale, disruptive blockades.In the weeks since Canadian demonstrators blocked parts of Ottawa and disrupted cross-border traffic, Europeans opposed to vaccine mandates and other public health measures have rallied online, planning convoys to national capitals and a protest in Brussels.Though convoys in European countries have for the most part fizzled, several groups converged on Paris over the weekend, temporarily disrupting traffic on parts of the Champs-Élysées despite the deployment of more than 7,000 police officers. Police, who had warned of fines and arrests, used tear gas to disperse crowds.Stern warnings from national and local authorities in Belgium appear to have dissuaded convoys from elsewhere from entering the heart of the city — at least for now.Story continues below advertisementBrussels Mayor Philippe Close told public broadcaster RTBF Monday that protesters have not made a request to demonstrate in the city. Those hoping to rally in Brussels can do so in parking lots, he said, but they cannot “take the capital hostage.”Through early afternoon, the part of the European Quarter where groups hoped to protest did not see significant disruption except for additional fencing and the presence of police checking identification.Small groups of people milled about near the European Parliament without signs or banners in an apparent attempt to protest without violating the city’s rules. Several people declined to speak to reporters. Some said they were there to protest vaccine passes. One man said he was there “for freedom,” but declined to give his name, citing fear of arrest.Story continues below advertisementIn the Telegram social media channels where the would-be convoys were coordinating, people shared information about vehicles getting diverted to a parking lot outside the city center and urged would-be demonstrators to proceed to the European Quarter on foot.Late Sunday and early Monday, some members of the French convoy said on social media that they had decided to drive to Strasbourg, the French city that serves as the formal seat of the European Parliament, instead of carrying on to Brussels.The police presence in both Brussels and Paris underscored nerves in Western capitals about the ability of relatively small groups of protesters to cause major disruption by attempting to occupy parts of cities with vehicles.Story continues below advertisementCalls for a European response to the stand-off in Canada started in late January. On Facebook, Telegram and other social media networks, those opposed to digital vaccines passes and other public health measures have urged people to block roads in protest.The groups quickly attracted tens of thousands of members and split off into national-level subgroups for planning. Some are calling for the end of pandemic-related restrictions, while others demand the resignation of national governments.This type of protest is not new in Europe. In 2018, social inequality and anger over a proposed fuel tax in France helped launch the yellow vest movement, an anti-establishment uprising that saw months of demonstrations. The movement was also exported elsewhere, including to Canada.Story continues below advertisementIn the last two years, some yellow vest groups have joined the anti-lockdown movement, a catchall that has come to include vaccine skeptics, those who oppose pandemic health measures and, in some cases, groups on the far right.In recent months, large anti-lockdown protests have been held in European cities. On Jan. 23, tens of thousands gathered in Brussels alone.But a truly pan-European protest movement has struggled to take off offline, perhaps because coronavirus measures vary country to country — and some E.U. countries have started to lift restrictions.telegramRead more: