Antwerp (The Brussels Morning Newspaper): Activists in Antwerp deflated tires of 46 SUVs to protest their environmental impact citing safety concerns. Police are investigating but legal penalties may be limited due to non-destructive actions.
In the Zurenborg district of Antwerp activists have let the air out of the tires of many SUVs which are bigger family cars. The police confirmed that 46 vehicles have been affected so far and they are still checking the area so that number might go up. They are asking people to report any incidents and will review camera footage to find the suspects. Bram Van Rompaey who has a Range Rover SUV said he understands the activists’ concerns but feels that everyone’s situation is different which makes it complicated.
Why are tyre extinguishers targeting SUVs in Antwerp?
The Tyre Extinguishers are a group that takes action against SUVs because they believe these cars are bad for society and the environment. They deflate the tires of SUVs as a way to protest against their use. In recent actions in Zurenborg, a neighborhood in Antwerp the Tyre Extinguishers left flyers that criticize SUVs. The flyers say that SUVs are bad for society and the environment because they use more fuel than smaller cars. This higher fuel use leads to more carbon emissions and damages the environment. The flyers also point out safety issues saying that SUVs are more dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians if accidents happen. This is because SUVs are bigger and taller which can cause more serious injuries during crashes. The Tyre Extinguishers have used the same methods in other cities as part of their larger campaign to reduce the use of SUVs and promote safer and more eco-friendly transportation options.
Are activists legally justified in deflating SUV tires?
In Antwerp the police are looking into who is letting the air out of SUV tires as part of a protest. This action doesn’t cause physical damage,which raises legal questions. Previous legal opinions like those from the Ghent public prosecutor’s office state that if activists only deflate tires without using tools to cut them they aren’t causing real damage. Because of this the Ghent public prosecutor’s office has ruled that such activists cannot be punished under property damage laws as deflating tires is considered a non-destructive act that doesn’t permanently harm the vehicle. Even though the actual damage might be small or not there at all, the police and legal authorities are still looking into these actions because they can disrupt things and affect vehicle owners. The investigation is trying to find out who is responsible and if there are any other legal problems linked to what they are doing.
At the same time lawyers mention Article 521 in the Criminal Code which says that making a vehicle unusable on purpose can lead to a punishment of 15 days to 3 years in prison and a fine between 50 to 500 euros. A local resident named Bram Van Rompaey borrowed a compressor to inflate his car tire. He said “The hardest part is getting the flyer off because it’s stuck with glue like wallpaper paste. I think I’ll try using a hairdryer to help.”
