Water cannons upon thousands rallying in Brussels

Image: (An injured demonstrator is helped by police officers after being hit by a stone thrown by other demonstrators during a European trade unions protest against austerity measures, in central Brussels April 4, 2014. Reuters/Francois Lenoir)

Police have thrown water cannons to disperse a union protest made by thousands, who gathered in the center of Brussels.

According to the reports of the local Le Soir media, there are around 15.000 people marching against austerity and unemployment, and were faced with a heavy-handed police response.

At first, the trade unions expected to see 40.000 demonstrators on the streets of Brussels. The representatives of these unions, from across the EU joined forces in Brussels, following a call from the European Trade Unions Confederation (ETUC).

This is the first “euromanifestation” in 2014, with the participants demanding “a new way for Europe.”

 
(A demonstrator throws garbage towards riot police officers

during a European trade unions protest against austerity measures,

in central Brussels April 4, 2025) 

It has been reported that clashes happened between the police and dockers from Antwerp and Gent, who led the march and started throwing projectiles at police.

Watch below a sample of the happenings: