Several demonstrators participating in Saturday’s Women's March in Brussels turned on the delegation the governing Francophone liberal party MR had taking part in the march. Chanting could be heard urging the Francophone liberals to be excluded from the event staged to mark International Women’s Day. Police removed two prominent liberals, interior minister Bernard Quintin and European commissioner Hadja Lahbib, from the demonstration for their safety.
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Nasty scenes as protesters turn on MR delegation at Saturday’s women’s march (VIDEO)
Colin Clapson
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The chant ‘MR, raciste, hors de la manif’ (MR, racist, out of the march) could be heard. There are reports water was thrown at the MR delegation. Placards were also attacked.
Former MR alderman Magali Cornelissen was reportedly pushed to the ground. She is filing a complaint with the police, she told Brussels media outlet BRUZZ.
‘Why are we angry with the MR? Because it is playing with the fundamental rights of women,’ says Sophie Rohonyi, chairwoman of the local DéFI party and the Francophone Women's Council. ‘We are tired of women's rights always being the first victim of budgetary cuts and political haggling.
Belgian interior minister Quintin (MR) responded on X: ‘Part of the Left seems to want to hijack the fight for equality using verbal and physical aggression. This is unacceptable and dangerous for our society. All democrats must denounce this violence’
