Photo report on the European demonstration ‘Welfare not warfare’ held on 14 June 2026 in Brussels
Healthcare, not missiles; pensions, not F-35s; schools, not tanks. That is the message from the 12,000 people demonstrating in Brussels today against war and for social justice.
They are all united in saying no to the militarisation of society that De Wever [Prime Minister], Bouchez [President of the MR, French-speaking neoliberal party], Francken [Minister of Defence], Macron, Merz, Trump and co. want to impose.
No, too, to Trump and his wars, which are setting the world ablaze, from Iran to Cuba via Palestine.
And no to an imperialist Europe that is supposed to arm itself to the teeth and intervene from the Sahel to the Persian Gulf to guarantee the profits of multinationals.
Demonstrators have come from all over Belgium, in response to the call from the Stop Militarisation platform, but also from across Europe, led by the Stop ReArm Europe coalition. Among them are many young people, trade unionists, teachers, healthcare workers, peace and climate movements, NGOs, the feminist movement...
For many, this is just the beginning. The movement will continue to grow in the months and years to come, to champion a different path: that of a Belgium and a Europe of peace, dialogue and social progress.
