Police and public prosecutor in the highest state of readiness for the arrival of ‘freedom convoy’ | Convoy of Freedom

The phenomenon of the freedom convoys has come over from Canada. In recent days, social media has called for as many trucks and other vehicles as possible to come to the capital on Monday 14 February from all provinces of our country.

In addition, there are also calls from other European capitals to move to Brussels and flood the city. Several hundred vehicles that took part in the ‘freedom convoys’ that tried to paralyze Paris on Saturday left the French capital on Sunday to set course for Brussels. According to a French police source, some 450 vehicles left the outskirts of Paris and the Bois de Boulogne, west of the capital, early in the morning. Additional participants can join the convoy during the morning and afternoon.

At the who, with how much in total and when it is still coffee grounds. The so-called ‘freedom convoy’ should reach our capital by Monday at the latest to demonstrate there around noon.

The security services watch the procession with great reluctance. From midnight, there is already a ban on demonstrations with motorized vehicles. This ban applies until 8 a.m. on Tuesday morning and can be extended if necessary. Since yesterday, there has also been a ban on motorized convoys in Ghent, until Sunday 20 February.

Because it is expected that the activists will violate this ban, the security forces are on high alert. The federal police will closely monitor traffic in Brussels and will be present along major arterial roads and approach roads. In practice, the drivers will be addressed first, and effective intervention will only take place in a second phase.

All truck drivers and others who wish to exercise their democratic right to demonstrate can do so in a specially provided place, namely parking C of the Heysel. Only here will a static action with motorized vehicles be tolerated. The parking is accessible via the Ring RO around Brussels. Police teams will guide drivers there if necessary.

It is not specified how many men the police will deploy. There are “enough men” on hand, says An Berger of the federal police. In addition to monitoring social media, the police relies on the exchange of information with police services in neighboring countries. “There is a lot of consultation between services and constant adjustments.”

Both the police and the public prosecutors of Brussels and Halle-Vilvoorde emphasize that priority will be given to guarantee the safety of residents and commuters to and from the capital. It is certain that the procession cannot and will not reach Brussels unnoticed. Minister of the Interior Annelies Verlinden (CD&V) has already indicated that there would be border controls.

Despite all measures, it remains to be seen for a possible traffic jam or other problems. The police therefore advise anyone who does not necessarily have to be in Brussels on Monday 14 February to avoid the Brussels-Capital Region and the Ring around Brussels. If you still need to be in Brussels, it is best to travel by public transport, according to the police.