Families take to streets in Brussels against repeated shootings in neighbourhoods
Brussels families have protested against a resurgence of shootings linked to organised crime. The prosecutor said he is "concerned" about the multiplication of incidents.
Brussels: civic mobilisation in face of escalating shootings
Families and residents from several Brussels neighbourhoods have taken to the streets to protest against repeated shootings striking the Belgian capital, according to Google News BE FR based on several media outlets including Le Figaro, 7sur7.be and La Libre Belgique.
"Anyone can get shot," summarises one of the slogans chanted during the gathering. The Saint-Gilles protesters made their voices heard under the banner: "We don't need an army of soldiers," signalling a demand for civil solutions rather than security measures.
The situation is also alarming the prosecutor's office. The prosecutor, described as "concerned," has publicly warned about the multiplication of shootings in Brussels. La Libre Belgique quotes a witness referring to "14-year-old kids with military weapons in Brussels," illustrating the worrying availability of weapons in certain circles.
In response to this wave of violence, a large-scale police operation was conducted last Friday. It resulted in around forty arrests related to shootings and drug trafficking in the capital, according to DHnet.
The civic movement reflects growing concern about the establishment of organised crime in residential neighbourhoods, where residents feel exposed to violence that exceeds their control.
Source: Google News BE FR