Belgian police clashed with protesters in Brussels who chanted anti-government slogans and called for improvements to the education system. Police used tear gas and pepper spray against the demonstrators.
Reuters reported on Saturday night, October 24, that the clashes occurred after hundreds of protesters gathered in Brussels as part of demonstrations that have continued in recent months.
According to the report, the young protesters demanded increased funding for education and accused police of using excessive force.
However, the clashes between police and protesters were much more limited and less violent than incidents reported in Belgium the previous week, as well as the far larger-scale unrest in neighboring France.
Witnesses said that during one incident in Brussels on Saturday, protesters fell to the ground while fleeing from pursuing police officers, who then beat one of the demonstrators.
In another incident, police used tear gas to disperse a group of protesters.
Brussels police said in a statement late Saturday afternoon that no major incident had occurred. They added that measures had been taken “to ensure public order and everyone’s safety.”
Anti-government protests, which were first launched by students in France, have quickly spread to other European countries.
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