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2,400 climate protesters form human chain in Brussels

20:36 08/12/2019

About 2,400 people formed a human chain through Brussels on Sunday afternoon in a climate protest to coincide with the UN's COP25 climate conference in Madrid.

The chain stretched from the Mont des Arts to Trône, passing the federal parliament, Congress Column and Madou.

The action was organised by the Belgian movements Climate Express and the Climate Coalition. A similar march was held in Liège.

"Our country will not achieve its 2020 targets and the measures for 2030 are still insufficient," said Climate Coalition president Nicolas Van Nuffel.

"We want to show our strength, show that we are still here a year after the march that saw 100,000 people take to the streets of Brussels."

Four friends ran overnight from Ostend to Brussels to join the demonstration. They carried with them a bottle of seawater to "warn politicians that if Belgium does not have a more ambitious climate policy, the sea level may reach Brussels".

Setting off from the Belgian coast at 22.00, the runners passed Ghent, Aalst and Liedekerke before arriving at the Mont des Arts on Sunday lunchtime, just in time for the march.

Photo: James Arthur Gekiere/Belga

Written by The Bulletin