Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A protest march is scheduled to be held in Brussels on January 19, 2025, organised by the global movement ‘The Surge.’
The march, which sought to protest fascism, wars, genocide and climate problems, will begin at 13:00, from Place de l’Albertine around the Central station in the middle of Brussels. This campaign by ‘The Surge” was undertaken two months ago and marked by nearly 200 activists from about 20 nations.
This activity aims to incorporate “the struggles of anti-fascists, Palestinian liberation and climate justice movements,” the organiser underlined. They also condemned “the violence and unrestrained authoritarianism” of the elites, leading to “the collapse of the systems that have supported life on Earth for millennia.”
Trump’s election is a central axis between three crises: the rise of far-right policies, climate change and the escalation of conflicts in the world,
according to a manifesto released by a group of states.
How does the January 13 strike relate to the upcoming protest?
Just a few days ago, on January 13, 2025, there was a major national strike in Brussels. This was called by different trade unions protesting the proposed pension reforms of the Belgian government. The strike was mainly to protest against pension reforms that the new coalition government is discussing. According to unions, these reforms will lead to lower pensions, longer working hours, and increased job precarity, which they call unprecedented attacks on workers’ rights.
About 30,000 protesters from the sectors of education, transport, and public services were on the streets of Brussels. The strike paralysed the country as a whole. The protest started at Place de l’Albertine and ended at Place Poelaert.
Activists dressed in union colors marched through the city, emphasizing their demands for better working conditions and protections for pensions. Despite the freezing weather, the atmosphere was jovial, although minor incidents were reported between protesters and police.
