Mayor Close, you bear overwhelming responsibility for this

We expressed an explicit warning last Friday about the risks associated with today’s demonstration in Brussels. It is very regrettable to see in the present circumstances that we are right.

We have a lot of understanding for the anger and outrage of the demonstrators, but letting 10,000 people gather together without any social distancing is irresponsible. An insidious and dangerous virus is still raging. We were just doing so well in defeating that virus and now we see that even some politicians took part in the demonstration.

It is tragic that rioters are now wreaking havoc and looting the already heavily battered middle class and their shops.

“Two months ago this was deadly, now people are definitely going to get ill” or “This virus does not distinguish between beliefs or colours”. These are not our words, but those of virologists Van Ranst and Van Gucht. It is somewhat cynical that, on the one hand, we are rightly applauding the healthcare workers, but on the other hand, the distancing rules were massively disrespected today.

Mayor Close, we asked you to prohibit this and look for alternatives. You bear overwhelming responsibility for this.