Demonstrations against racism and discrimination took place in 15 central cities across the country on Sunday, on the eve of the international day of action on that theme on 21 March. It is an initiative of more than 150 smaller and larger civil society organizations that have united in Platform 21/03. The focus was on the themes of housing, work, education and public space.
In Antwerp, a procession of an estimated 800 people marched from the Operaplein through the city center towards Spoor Oost. “At the end we bring testimonials about racism and discrimination in the four domains around which the action revolves,” says Mohamed El Majjoudi of community work organization SAAMO, one of the initiators. “In between there is a musical program that also revolves around racism, discrimination and exclusion. We are present here from many sectors: youth work, social development work, trade unions, welfare organisations, … there is a great connection to make a stand together against racism and discrimination.”
A national action on the occasion of Anti-Racism Day has been an annual tradition since 2018. “During the corona crisis, we were forced to organize local initiatives instead of one large national demonstration and that is still the case today,” says Sarah Scheepers of Platform 21/03. “We have therefore opted for themes that are close to the local organizations and the people. Having a good job, an affordable decent home, good education for your children where they do not experience exclusion, public space that is freely accessible,… These are the requirements we set today.”
The demonstrations took place in Antwerp, Brussels, Ghent, Kortrijk, Bruges, Ypres, Ostend, Leuven, Genk, Halle, Liège, Charleroi, Mons and Bertrix.
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