A wave of resistance and solidarity is sweeping through Brussels
We deserve better than this 🍋
A wave of resistance and solidarity is sweeping through Brussels today for the union-led demonstration against the new, rightist Belgian government, dubbed ‘Arizona’. Nearly 100,000 people answered the call. Among them were many workers, both men and women, from all corners of the country and from various sectors, both private and public.
Pierre, a worker at Industeel in Charleroi: "It's incredible to see so many people—firefighters, soldiers, childcare workers, warehouse workers... I even ran into one of my old teachers who is now retired. I hadn’t seen him in years."
Els, a worker at H&M in Antwerp: "I’m on strike for the first time, with my colleagues. We’re already struggling, but the unbearable schedules they want to impose on us are just not sustainable."
The energy of the youth was also palpable, as they turned out in large numbers to demand a future other than the precariousness the government wants to condemn them to. Théo, 21 years old: "I had never participated in such a large demonstration before. We’re here for our parents and for our future."
The unions were joined by numerous organizations from the broader social movement: anti-poverty associations, movements for peace and solidarity with Palestine, cultural organizations, NGOs for development cooperation, climate movements, feminist movements... "With the cuts planned by the government, I risk losing my job," explains Christine, who works at Unia, a federal institution fighting discrimination, which will see its budget cut by 25% under the Arizona government’s plans.
Together, with 100,000 people, we sent a clear message:
🍋 to demand respect for those who keep the country running, to defend our pensions, our purchasing power, and manageable working hours.
🍋 to reject the every-man-for-himself society the Arizona government wants to impose on us, to reject the policy of military escalation and inhumanity toward those fleeing the bombs of war.
🍋 to defend the right to protest, to react, and to challenge.
🍋 to defend another vision: that of a society of solidarity, peace, and social progress.
And this is just the beginning. Several key events have already been announced, including March 8th for women’s rights and the cross-sector general strike on March 31st.
Together, we will stop them. 💪
