Greta Thunberg was arrested during the Little Ring ban

According to Paolo Destino, a spokesman for the protesters, around a hundred protesters have now been arrested. “During the operation, the police were present and completely surrounded us. They then allowed the blockade to continue and then protected it,” said Destino.

“Then they started making progress and arresting people,” said the spokesman. “In most cases, the police simply asked them to stand down, but in some cases enforcement was harsh.”

The police say that they have “repeatedly” asked protesters to leave the site. “The administrative authorities accepted the static display until 3pm, as no prior request for this action was submitted,” said Linda Camarero-Verde, spokeswoman for the Capital of Brussels – Ixelles Police Zone. “The police repeatedly asked the demonstrators to leave the place. Since those involved refused to follow this order, they were detained for identification. After identification.”

One of those arrested was the famous activist Greta Thunberg. “This climate crisis, which is only growing, is critical,” Thunberg said. “Every second our leaders continue to fund fossil fuels, they affect future generations.”

Climate March

The blockade is part of a climate march by the same group. The demonstration, with about two hundred demonstrators, began at 2 pm on the Luxembourgplein, in front of the European Parliament, and ended at Merode. That show was pre-approved by the authorities. “No significant incidents were reported during the move,” a police spokesman said.

According to the group, the demonstrators come from all over Europe and are united under the banner of United for Climate Justice (UCJ). They want an end to government support for the fossil fuel industry in the EU.

The protest follows an open letter sent by UCJ to the EU institutions on October 1, which was also signed by more than 130 academics and organizations such as Oxfam and Greenpeace.

The activists deny that fossil fuel subsidies are “in direct opposition to the EU’s own environmental goals” and urge EU leaders to “walk their talk.” They want the EU to fulfill its commitment to eliminate environmentally harmful subsidies across the EU by 2025, “in line with the Paris Agreement as set out in the 8th Environment Action Programme”.

“European leaders’ continued support for the fossil fuel industry raises serious questions about their commitment to effective climate action,” said UCJ spokesman Paolo. “Our politicians have failed us.”