Brussels Protest: Tear Gas in Saint-Gilles as Youth March on Government
The crux: A few hundred mostly young protesters rallied in Brussels on 24 October against the “Arizona” federal government, education cuts and alleged police violence. The gathering was calm until a group broke a police cordon in Saint-Gilles, and riot police answered with tear gas.
What happened
About 300 people met at Place de l’Albertine near Central Station around midday, according to safe.brussels. The rally was called by groups including Front des Mères, École en Lutte, JOC and OSVP. Police searched bags and confiscated placards. No protest had been officially notified in the capital. Anonymous TikTok and Instagram accounts had spread AI-made posters naming meeting points, and shops on Rue Neuve, Avenue Louise and Avenue de la Toison d’Or boarded up as a precaution. Later, on the Chaussée de Forest in Saint-Gilles, young protesters broke through a police line and officers fired tear gas. Police also blocked access to the MR party’s headquarters. Pushed back towards Brussels-South station, some protesters built a barricade of shared e-scooters, bikes and road signs near Porte de Hal and tried to set a pile of scooters on fire. The march broke up by about 15:30. Police made nine arrests: five for disturbing public order and four for carrying banned weapons and inciting a riot. Liège held an authorised rally at the same time.
Why it matters
Belgium’s unions have staged at least ten big actions against Bart De Wever’s budget plans. On 9 October about 30,000 people marched in Brussels (50,000 according to the FGTB union), with clashes near Central Station and 21 people detained. Students say they are also fighting rising education costs and overcrowded classrooms, and some cite France as inspiration.
What’s next
Organisers are calling for a general strike across all sectors on 17 November.
Sources
- The Brussels Times, 24 Oct 2026 — https://www.brusselstimes.com/2376754/police-arrest-nine-protesters-after-brussels-demonstrations
- Anadolu Agency, 24 Oct 2026 — https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/protests-in-brussels-turn-tense-after-peaceful-morning-gathering-liege-remains-calm/4099747
- RTBF, 24 Oct 2026 — https://www.rtbf.be/article/manifestations-en-belgique-la-situation-reste-calme-a-bruxelles-et-a-liege-11805382
- The Brussels Times, 24 Oct 2026 — https://www.brusselstimes.com/2376502/hundreds-protest-against-government-on-brussels-streets
- The Brussels Times, 24 Oct 2026 — https://www.brusselstimes.com/2376303/calm-in-brussels-on-saturday-despite-ai-generated-protest-calls
- ANSA, 24 Oct 2026 — https://www.ansa.it/europa/notizie/rubriche/altrenews/2026/10/24/proteste-studenti-a-bruxelles-per-ora-situazione-calma_a28356ab-3a4b-4870-83aa-61fa62d715f6.html
- Reuters via Investing.com, 9 Oct 2026 — https://www.investing.com/news/economy-news/protesters-clash-with-police-in-brussels-as-unions-and-students-march-4941313
