Police in the Brussels municipality of Anderlecht have used batons and water cannon to disperse protesters that gathered to prevent the removal of around 70 undocumented migrants from a building on the Luchtvaartsquare. Among those that are squatting in the building are 15 children.
Water cannon deployed to disperse activists trying to prevent expulsion of undocumented migrants
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The building previously housed the offices of a trade union. The undocumented migrants have been squatting there for several months now. The current owner of the building Staring Real Estate wants to renovate it and turn it into a hotel. In August a previous attempt to remove the squatters was called off at the last minute and postponed until today (Friday 17 October).
The campaign, action and pressure group Zone Neutre that supports the squatters says that there are firm prospects of them finding alternative accommodation, but they just need more time.
A large bouncy castle had been set up in front of the building in an effort to hinder police. The police used water cannon to disperse the protesters and they removed the bouncy castle. Two activists have chained themselves to the front door of the building.
Penalty payments
The municipality of Anderlecht finds itself in a difficult position. Mayor Fabrice Cumps (Francophone socialist) has spoken out against the eviction of the squatters on several occasions, but says he must abide by the law. Meanwhile, the penalty payments of 1,500 euro/day have been imposed on the municipal authorities for every day that the squatters remain in the building.
Mayor Cumps told the Brussels regional news platform Bruzz "The mayor has no legal authority to intervene in an eviction based on a court decision. The police themselves determine how and under what conditions they will intervene".