In the runup to the International Day Against Racism and Discrimination on 21 March, the association Platform 21/03 organised demonstrations across Belgium on Sunday.
In Brussels, about 550 people gathered on Mont des Arts, reports VRT News. Speakers decried the reception of refugees in Belgium and the collective of bike couriers paid tribute to Sultan Zadran, the bike messenger of Afghan descent who died while riding for Uber Eats.
In Antwerp, over 500 people gathered in Sint-Willibrordusplein, according to the police, while the organisers claim 800 protesters took part.
Geslaagde actie achter de rug!🔥 500 mensen kwamen vandaag op straat om een sterk signaal te geven tegen racisme met veel strijd en veel sfeer, met erna mooie speeches en optredens in kunstencentrum @viernulviergent ✊ pic.twitter.com/nV1nImIPA6
— Comac Gent (@comacingent) March 19, 2023
“Everyone, without distinction, has the right to a decent wage, affordable housing and social protection,” said Sarah Scheepers of Platform 21/03, in Antwerp. “Today we see too often that certain ethnic groups are treated as second-class citizens, second-class workers, second-class students.”
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Platform 21/03 carried out actions in Antwerp and Brussels, as well as Ghent, Kortrijk, Bruges, Ypres, Ostend, Leuven, Genk, Liege, Charleroi, Mons and Bastogne.
