Étiquette : Témoignage

Mobilisation pro-Palestine contre l’arraisonnement de la Flotille Sumud, 2 octobre à Bruxelles

“I joined a protest at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at 16:30. We marched from there to Place du Luxembourg. We marched up to a blockade in front of the European Parliament. The police had water hoses and at some point stood at the ready to use them. People remained non-violent – chanting, waving Palestine flags, wearing keffiyehs, holding boards with slogans on them about the Global Sumud Flotilla and the genocide in Palestine, shouting at the Parliamentarians “Shame on you!” at times at the police “ACAB”, at times holding up their middle fingers at the Parliamentarians.

Some people spray painted buildings. I had my face covered by my keffiyeh or my balaclava. Later the group split, some going to Bourse for the daily protest there. Those of us remaining people danced, sang, and eventually sat down on the road in Place du Luxembourg. We decided to stay there – as an occupation. Some called out to move onto the grass surrounding the statue. Others realized this would make it easier for the police to corral us.

I went into a café to use the restroom and when I came back out the police had started to surround our group. I was able to rejoin my comrades. I put my balaclava over my head. I was directly in front of police. 2 were talking “Why are they wearing a mask?” “Maybe because they know they look ugly”.

Those who have experience with these situations told people to sit down. I sat down in front of the police. A police person talked to me in French. I didn’t completely understand what they were saying. I think they were asking me to remove my mask or move. I remained sitting, looking away from them, not responding. They continued to speak to me. They pulled off my balaclava and tucked it on the strap of my bag. When indicated, I stood up and locked arms with the people next to me. The cops were trying to push us off the road. We chanted “We are peaceful what are you?” and other chants.

I kept my head down so it was about level with the chest of the cop in front of me. They grabbed at me and weren’t able to get hold of me. They used their batons on me – hitting my legs. I remained firm. They pushed me, I leaned in and they interpreted that as me pushing back “calmez-vous” they said and shoved me and my comrades next to me backwards. I struggled to keep my footing and tried to walk forward towards the cops to regain the ground we lost when they pushed us back.

A trusted comrade told me to stop. I turned and said aggressively “Why should I?”. They told me to sit down. I and comrades next to me sat down. I put my head down and covered my head and neck with my hands and arms. A comrade gently caressed one of my hands to calm me. A comrade asked if I was okay and said if this was too much I could leave. I said I was okay and just protecting my head. Later I turned around and interlocked arms and legs. The police brought low metal barricades and were trying to interlock 2 of these gates. I saw some of the comrades at the front (where I was) pushing against this gate with their legs. I turned around (I’d been facing away from the cops) to push my legs against this gate. The cops then pushed the gate harder against our legs and then took out a dispenser of pepper spray and sprayed us.

I pulled the hood of my jacket over my head. In the confusion I ended up facing away from the cops. I was on my hands and knees retching from the effects of the pepper spray. A comrade told me to get up and I struggled to from the pain. While I was trying to get up I was hit by a baton, I think on my back. My comrade helped me up then other comrades rinsed out my eyes. My face felt like it was burning- comrades poured water over my face and I wiped it off with my socks. When I stood I realized how much my back hurt. A comrade left with me, carried my things, and helped me walk. “

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