On January 23rd, Brussels hosted a large pan-european demonstration, one of the largest seen in recent years.
It was a remarkable event, not just because of the enormity of the crowd that showed up, but because there was a separate, second protest that day. This second protest existed mainly in the fever dreams of social commentators and hostile press.
Let's compare.
The protest kicks off at the Gare du Nord train station. Given the large anticipated crowd, it starts earlier than usual. Protesters begin their pre-approved march along the Brussels ring road, towards the European quarter. The march is in good spirits, with plenty of flags, music, drums and costumes.
Old and young are both represented, and the crowd includes firefighters and health care workers. Designated veteran volunteers help with crowd control.
The march arrives at Parc Cinquantenaire without incident. When the first group arrives at the destination, people are still joining the march at the tail, supporting the claims of a massive crowd.
Anti-vax protesters have once again gathered in Brussels. Despite the fact that the science is settled, many of these vaccine-refusers insist on spreading disinformation and dissent. Tensions are high on this day. Riot police have been mobilized and are out in full force.
Tourists and travelers are advised to avoid the city centre, as an uncontrolled march of destruction plows through the city. No bus stop or storefront is safe. Particularly worrisome are the right-wing extremists leading this march, clearly pictured.
At the park, protesters are greeted with a highly professional event. Thanks to the organization by Europeans United, several screens are available so the crowd can follow the speeches. Estimates say at least 100,000, likely even more, as people continue to come and go the entire time, and the crowd is much larger than previous events. Several food stands provide sustenance and refreshments, in addition to the ever-present waffle trucks.
The line-up is diverse, with both local and international speakers. This includes not just activists and organizers from countries such as Austria and Italy, and a European Member of Parliament, but also Vera Sharav, a Jewish holocaust survivor.
Police report about 50,000 attendees, though it is unclear what these protesters want. Their message is muddled and disorganized, and they don't seem to know why they're there in the first place. Many have been radicalized by calls on social media. Most attendees just mill around aimlessly, as if waiting for the inevitable riot.
The line-up features an incoherent mix of science denialism, conspiracy theory, and infantile screaming about freedom. While the organization tries to present a clean image, their extremist ties are well known.
While the event continues peacefully in the park, a riot forms by the nearby Schuman-square. Unlike every prior March for Freedom, police have left an EU building unguarded. Masked troublemakers brandishing an antifa banner begin to provoke and escalate, and police steps in, but not before the building's lobby is smashed to pieces.
The police's tactics go from strange to malicious, as the rioters are then surrounded from 3 sides, leaving them no place to go except into the park.
The police does not protect the civilians who are exercising their right to demonstrate, by isolating the troublemakers. Instead they use tear gas and water cannons to push the riot directly towards the main event, several hundred meters farther into the park.
As expected, just a few hours in, the protest in Brussels has already devolved into complete chaos. Near the Schuman-square, police have been forced to use tear gas and water cannons in an attempt to control the unruly crowd. One building has been completely smashed, as documented by numerous brave reporters in gas masks.
It is unlikely that the situation will get better. The mayor has stepped in to take control of the situation, hoping to avert the worst. Stay tuned for more updates directly from the ground.
Both the organization and the attendees can see the growing cloud of tear gas behind them, as organizers call the rioters criminals. After failing to reach an agreement with police, they announce the event is shut down prematurely, much to the dismay of the crowd.
Many choose to remain regardless, beginning a stand-off as the police engage in typical kettling tactics. Some who do try to leave are prevented from doing so, and end up being detained for hours. Protesters who are waiting for their chartered buses to pick them up are told they need to disperse and leave as well, with nowhere to go.
In Brussels, the chaos has become untenable. The rioters have been ordered to disperse and clear the park, but have refused to do so. The police is now fighting them head-to-head, doing their best to prevent further harm to bystanders and property.
Many of the initial protesters have already left, leaving only a hard core of fanatics bent on escalating the violence. The mood is now unquestionably grim.
Protesters that have remained are now pinned under the arches of the Cinquantenaire, built to commemorate the Belgian revolution. Police are taking pot-shots with water cannons at anyone who tries to leave. The organization is packing up their rented equipment in a hurry, fearing water damage. When the police's pincer manoeuvre comes to a point, protesters decide to face the approaching police line with their hands raised, hoping to rush through and escape unscathed.
In the margins of the protest, an innocent bystander is beaten to a pulp by riot police. He was coming to meet his girlfriend, who was out grocery shopping and called for help. Another video shows police shooting pepper spray into a chartered bus. In one instance, an officer is seen kicking in a glass front door, to pepper spray people who were taking shelter.
The rioters continue their unhinged violence. A police officer who was taking shelter in a metro station has been brutally assaulted when a fence was thrown down the stairway. The video of this incident is circulating, confirming what many already knew: these protesters have no respect for life or authority. The Minister of Interior tweets that anyone who engages in violent tactics loses their right to sit at the discussion table.
Luckily the police eventually manage to regain control of the situation. Public services will now begin the arduous task of cleaning up the damage overnight.
Depending on who you listen to, this was either a hugely popular event that was sabotaged by overzealous and suspicious police action, or a chaotic but predictable riot from people who don't deserve to be listened to.
Having been there from start to end, including the pincer, I think only the first story comes close to being true.
Remarkably, there are similar reports about the protest in Amsterdam on January 2nd. There, people who were specifically directed to evacuate the event along a particular street were surrounded and attacked, and even assaulted by police dogs. According to eye witnesses, there is no doubt this was a coordinated and planned police action.