Water cannon, tear gas at COVID-19 protests in Brussels

byJohn Smith •
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Police set off a water cannon in opposition to protestors throughout an indication in opposition to COVID-19 measures in Brussels, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022. Demonstrators gathered within the Belgian capital to protest what they regard as overly excessive measures by the federal government to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, together with a vaccine go regulating entry to sure locations and actions and attainable obligatory vaccines.
  • Police set off a water cannon against protestors during a demonstration against COVID-19 measures in Brussels, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022. Demonstrators gathered in the Belgian capital to protest what they regard as overly extreme measures by the government to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, including a vaccine pass regulating access to certain places and activities and possible compulsory vaccines.
  • A protestor marches with a cross past EU headquarters during a demonstration against COVID-19 measures in Brussels, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022. Demonstrators gathered in the Belgian capital to protest what they regard as overly extreme measures by the government to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, including a vaccine pass regulating access to certain places and activities and possible compulsory vaccines.
  • Police set off a water cannon against protestors during a demonstration against COVID-19 measures in Brussels, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022. Demonstrators gathered in the Belgian capital to protest what they regard as overly extreme measures by the government to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, including a vaccine pass regulating access to certain places and activities and possible compulsory vaccines.
  • A protestor wears a QR code on his forehead during a demonstration against COVID-19 measures in Brussels, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022. Demonstrators gathered in the Belgian capital to protest what they regard as overly extreme measures by the government to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, including a vaccine pass regulating access to certain places and activities and possible compulsory vaccines.
  • A protestor marches with a syringe costume during a demonstration against COVID-19 measures in Brussels, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022. Demonstrators gathered in the Belgian capital to protest what they regard as overly extreme measures by the government to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, including a vaccine pass regulating access to certain places and activities and possible compulsory vaccines.
  • A protestor marches with a cross near EU headquarters during a demonstration against COVID-19 measures in Brussels, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022. Demonstrators gathered in the Belgian capital to protest what they regard as overly extreme measures by the government to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, including a vaccine pass regulating access to certain places and activities and possible compulsory vaccines. Cross reads 'The truth we are being lied to about'.
  • A protestor wears a costume as he marches during a demonstration against COVID-19 measures in Brussels, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022. Demonstrators gathered in the Belgian capital to protest what they regard as overly extreme measures by the government to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, including a vaccine pass regulating access to certain places and activities and possible compulsory vaccines.
  • A protestor holds up a sign during a demonstration against COVID-19 measures in Brussels, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022. Demonstrators gathered in the Belgian capital to protest what they regard as overly extreme measures by the government to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, including a vaccine pass regulating access to certain places and activities and possible compulsory vaccines.
  • Protestors clap as they gather with signs and banners during a demonstration against COVID-19 measures in Brussels, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022. Demonstrators gathered in the Belgian capital to protest what they regard as overly extreme measures by the government to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, including a vaccine pass regulating access to certain places and activities and possible compulsory vaccines. Banner at center reads 'No to obligatory vaccines'.
  • A protestor walks down the street with a balloon which reads 'where is the debate' during a demonstration against COVID-19 measures in Brussels, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022. Demonstrators gathered in the Belgian capital to protest what they regard as overly extreme measures by the government to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, including a vaccine pass regulating access to certain places and activities and possible compulsory vaccines.

BRUSSELS (AP) — Police fired water cannons and thick clouds of tear gasoline Sunday in Brussels to disperse individuals protesting COVID-19 vaccinations and authorities restrictions that purpose to curb the fast-spreading omicron variant.

Police mentioned the protest within the Belgian capital drew an estimated 50,000 individuals, some touring from France, Germany and different nations to participate. Protesters yelled “Liberty!” as they marched and a few had violent confrontations with police. Video confirmed black-clad protesters attacking a constructing utilized by the European Union’s diplomatic service, hurling projectiles at its entrance and smashing home windows.

A a lot smaller variety of anti-vaccination demonstrators marched in Barcelona.

The protests adopted demonstrations in different European capitals on Saturday in opposition to vaccine passports and different necessities that European governments have imposed as day by day infections and hospitalizations have surged as a result of omicron variant.

In Brussels, white-helmeted police riot officers repeatedly charged after protesters who ignored directions to disperse. Police water cannon vehicles fired highly effective jets and snaking trails of gasoline stuffed the air.

A protest chief broadcasting over a loudspeaker yelled, “Come on individuals! Don’t allow them to take away your rights!” as law enforcement officials confronted off in opposition to demonstrators who hurled projectiles and insults. “Go to hell!“ shouted one protester sporting a faux knight’s helmet with a colourful quiff.

Brussels police mentioned 70 individuals had been detained and three officers and 12 demonstrators required hospital remedy.

Some protesters attacked a video staff protecting the march for The Related Press, pushing and threatening the journalists and damaging their video gear. One protester kicked one of many journalists and one other tried to punch him.

Almost 77% of Belgium’s inhabitants has been absolutely vaccinated, and 53% have had a booster dose, in response to the European Centre for Illness Prevention and Management. Belgium has seen greater than 28,700 virus deaths general.

In downtown Barcelona, protesters wore costumes and waved banners studying “It’s not a pandemic, it’s a dictatorship,” as they marched in opposition to in opposition to restrictions imposed by each nationwide and regional authorities to curb a surge in COVID-19 instances fueled by the omicron variant.

Contributors included individuals rejecting vaccines and people who deny the existence or gravity of the virus. Few donned face masks, that are at present obligatory open air in Spain. Police mentioned 1,100 individuals attended.

Spain, a rustic of 47 million, has formally recorded over 9 million coronavirus instances, though the actual quantity is believed to be a lot increased. Almost 92,000 COVID-19 sufferers.

With over 80% of Spain’s residents vaccinated, specialists have credited the pictures for saving hundreds of lives and averting the overall collapse of its public well being system.

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Observe all AP tales on the pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic

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