Thousands flood Brussels streets as anti-austerity protests erupt into clashes with police

On Friday, thousands of demonstrators poured into Brussels streets, clashing with police to protest budget tightening and the rising cost of living. Protesters, mostly young and dressed in black, threw rocks and firecrackers at the central Brussels railway station, and set several fires, including an electric scooter ablaze.

Riot police responded with tear gas canisters and water cannons, dispersing crowds and causing traffic congestion across the capital. The unrest involved an estimated 30,000 participants, according to AP. Two of Belgium’s largest labor unions organized the daylong strike, with a separate public‑sector walkout planned for Monday.

The protest followed a 43% tuition hike in the French Community government, raising standard university tuition from €835 to €1,194. Earlier clashes in June over tuition and education system issues also contributed to the unrest. This week, students also protested in Liège, with 107 arrests reported.

Read the full story at whmi.com.