arch/ive/ief (2000 - 2005)

Between 2,000 and 3,000 anarchists have taken to the streets of Brussels in a display of force coinciding with the conclusion of the EU summit in Laeken. The demonstration began near the southern station and continued through a residential area largely populated by immigrants, where neighbours supported the demonstrators and cheered them on from their windows.
Waving flags and chanting slogans, the anarchists expressed strong criticism of reformist agendas. "Our message is that the only long term solution to the problems of the world is not reforms, but a complete overthrow of the oppressive capitalist system and its replacement by real freedom and equality", said one of the participants in a live interviw on Radio Bruxxel.
So far no direct action has been taken by the anarchists - unlike yesterday's demo when they attacked banks and police stations as symbols of the system they oppose. Police are also keeping a relatively low profile - deploying in the perimiter of the demo but not attacking the protesters.
The demo is supposed to converge with the street party, ending in a concert into the night.