Brussels Explodes In Anti - "Austerity" Riots

Corrupt Brussels government decides to cash in after observing success of EU criminals in largest transfer of wealth from poor to rich in history; "austerity" is a bogus term invented by the so-called "elites," a code word to cover for the massive theft of public monies from government treasuries    

AGENCIES
11/07/2014

Belgian police have used tear gas and water cannon against violent anti-austerity protesters in central Brussels after a largely peaceful march by about 100,000 workers.

Citizens now know exact meaning of bogus "austerity"

Several vehicles were set alight by protesters who also hurled stones and flares at police. About 50 people were hurt and 30 detained, officials said.

Belgium's new government plans to raise the pension age, freeze wages and make public service cuts to meet EU targets.

Trade unions plan a series of strikes.

Thursday's march was one of Belgium's biggest labour demonstrations since World War Two.

Steelworkers, dockers and teachers were among the thousands who took part, protesting against government austerity policies.

"They are hitting the workers, the unemployed," said Philippe Dubois, who came from the industrial region of Liege.

"They are not looking for money where it is, I mean people with a lot of money.''

The march marked the start of a month-long campaign by trade unions and is to be capped with a national strike on 15 December.

The centre-right government of Prime Minister Charles Michel says the tough austerity measures are necessary to keep the budget deficit down.

The violence flared up at the end of an otherwise peaceful protest, with tear gas deployed as some radical demonstrators hurled objects at riot police and launched attacks with the barriers against the officials. Some set off colored smoke flares.

At least 14 people were taken to hospital following the violence, according to national daily HLN.be.

The Belgian government which assumed power just a month ago has caused unrest with promises to raise the retirement age, cancel a wage rise in line with inflation and cut health and social security benefits - moves that undermine the country's welfare state.

People supporting the march have said that the austerity cuts only target workers while unfairly letting businesses off the hook. The government is intending, through the cuts, to save some 11 billion euros ($13.8 billion).

“The signal is clear. People are angry, livid. This government's policies are totally unbalanced,” ACV union chief Marc Leemans told Reuters.

The union estimates around 120,000 have turned up for Thursday march, dockworkers, metalworkers and students among them.

Protesters’ banners included: "Eliminate the causes of the crisis, not the poor," and “Hands off the pension age.”

A small group set a police motorcycle on fire.

"Workers rights have been cut - not only the wages but the rights and the capacity to continue to know what are the main guidelines of the European societies. Because now I think we don't know it anymore," Marisa Matias of the Confederal Group of the European United Left told RT.

"In southern Europe - in Portugal, where I'm from - these measures do nothing but increase social problems."

Demonstrators also oppose budget cuts in health care and the lack of sufficient taxes on the rich. More protests are planned, including weekly regional strikes from November 24 and a national strike for December 15.

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