Global News in Canada shows that a small crowd of protesters from the so-called "Freedom convoy" gathered outside of the European Union headquarters in Brussels on Monday, in opposition to COVID-19 restrictions and vaccine mandates.
The protesters, dubbed by some as a "European Freedom Convoy," modelled after similar protests in Canada, said they had one demand: "give us our freedom back."
Another crowd also gathered at the car park at the Heysel exhibition centre outside of Brussels, with people from France, Belgium and Germany waving flags and calling for the lifting of all restrictions. The crowd had hoped for a blockade of the EU capital, but with police checks imposed on city roads with police targeting foreign licence plates, the blockade never materialized.
Global News in Canada shows that a convoy protesting COVID-19 restrictions left Paris on Sunday morning and headed towards Brussels.
Around 150 cars had gathered in a car park in the north of capital in Villepinte. Their plan was to stop outside the northern city of Lille and head on to the Belgian capital after that.
On Saturday, the convoy had breached police defences and drove into central Paris, snarling traffic around the Arc de Triomphe and on the Champs Elysees, as police fired tear gas at demonstrators.
Inspired by horn-blaring "Freedom Convoy" demonstrations in Canada, dozens of vehicles slipped through the police cordon, impeding traffic around the 19th-century arch and the top of the boutique-lined Champs-Élysées, a magnet for tourists.
At the current time, Belgium is relaxing the Coronavirus Covid-19 Lockdown. Shops are opened under strict conditions.
Public transportation in the capital city of Brussels was hit by a strike because bus drivers didn’t feel safe enough under the current virus precautions.
Authorities on Sunday allowed people to start meeting with 4 close relatives or friends. This allowed many families to celebrate a restricted Mother’s Day.
Also, some hospitals again began treating patients with non-urgent problems. Courthouses opened again for limited activities.
Coronavirus Covid-19 researchers in Belgium announced a potential breakthrough using Llama antibody.
Scientists have announced the discovery of a unique antibody that is capable of neutralizing the virus that causes COVID-19. The antibody comes from a perhaps an unexpected source - a llama.
In Belgium, police are taking a tough approach to policing the lockdown. Anyone found hanging around on the streets is fined. People need a good reason to be outside, such as: shopping for groceries, medicine or doing other essential tasks. Travelers are often checked for their documents.
Belgium became a country on October 4, 1830. The name Belgium dates back to the period when Celtics and Romans inhabited most of Europe. Those who inhabited Belgium, North Western France and Rhine land of Germany by then were known as Belgae. During this time, the Romans under the leadership of Julius Caesar were on a conquest to colonize Gaul (part of that region is present-day Belgium).
