Austerity, climate, Palestine, public services: Ordinary people in Belgium are taking to the streets! Let's change the system! [photo essay]
In just a few days, the grassroots in Belgium made their voices heard. On October 9th, 50,000 workers and a large number of young people marched against austerity. On October 10th, across Europe and in Belgium, thousands took to the streets in solidarity with the Palestinian people, demanding that their governments completely sever ties with Israel. On October 11th, 60,000 people marched for the climate in Brussels. And on October 12th, public-sector workers were on strike and took action.
Four protests, one common cause: that of the working class in Belgium, which refuses to foot the bill for a system that benefits a small minority, and which also refuses to remain complicit in an apartheid state. They thought they could impose their antisocial measures without resistance. They were wrong.
Friday, October 9th — National union demonstration against the austerity government
On October 9th, more than 50,000 workers marched through the streets of Brussels, in response to a call by the unions. The public sector, service vouchers, retail, manufacturing, metalworking, the chemical industry, the cultural sector, nonprofit organisations... They made it clear to Prime Minister De Wever (N-VA) and Deputy Prime Minister Bouchez (MR): "Not from our pockets!"
They said "no" to increases in taxes and excise duties. "No" to attacks on our pensions, our wages, and our social security .
Young people also turned out in large numbers to defend their future and their rights, opposing tuition hikes, fare increases for TEC (public bus and tram service), and cuts to education funding.
While the government is still looking for 10 billion euros to balance its budget, it continues to spend billions on weapons and refuses to make millionaires pay their fair share. They thought they could impose their antisocial measures without any resistance. 50,000 people proved them wrong.
Saturday, October 10th — Rally in solidarity with the Palestinian people
Across Europe and beyond, was a day of action in support of the Palestinian cause and to boycott Israel.
In London, tens of thousands of people gathered with a clear message for their government: stop military support for genocide. Union leaders, politicians, and well-known figures spoke.
In Berlin, Paris, and elsewhere, tens of thousands of people took to the streets. In Belgium, local solidarity events were organised in several places.
As long as our governments continue to support the Israeli apartheid state, we will continue to increase pressure from the grassroots.
Sunday, October 11th — Capitalism is burning the planet. Let's change the system.
This Sunday, 60,000 of us marched through the streets of Brussels for the climate, in response to a call from the Climate Coalition. Young people, families, unions, organisations... united around a single message: urgent action is needed to protect the planet and people's well-being.
We don't want to experience another deadly summer like the one we had this year. And the government won't achieve that by spending our money on F-35 fighter jets and letting the oil giants rake in record profits.
We need a real plan to combat heat waves, we need strengthened public services and emergency response systems, and massive investments in public transportation, home insulation, and renewable energy that is accessible to everyone.
The problem is that our society does not produce or invest based on our needs, but rather on what is most profitable. Capitalism is burning the planet; let's change the system so that the needs of the people and the planet come before the profits of a minority.
Monday, October 12th — Public-sector workers on strike and taking action against austerity
Public services are the shared heritage of the working class. They are the inheritance of those who have none. Public services deserve to be fought for. Instead of always cutting back, let's reinvest in them. The "millionaires' tax" proposed by the PTB targets the wealthiest 1% and could help save our public services.
