Police, anti-migration protesters clash at EU headquarters
Posted December 16, 2018 6:00 am
BRUSSELS (AP) - Police fired tear gas and water cannons on demonstrators who had congregated around the European Union's headquarters in Brussels after marching against a new United Nations migration pact.
About 5,000 people gathered on Sunday for the march that local authorities initially banned for fear of violence. Belgium's high court overturned the ban, citing the right to protest peacefully.
Police in Brussels say some protesters became violent when they were asked to disperse from outside the EU building.
The Belgian government had to be revamped last week because the biggest coalition party opposed Prime Minister Charles Michel's decision to sign the pact, which is meant to streamline and smooth international mass migration.
Protestors face off against the police during an anti-migrant demonstration outside of EU headquarters in Brussels, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018. Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators around the European Union headquarters at the end of a march to protest the adoption of a U.N. migration pact. (AP Photo)
The Associated Press
Protestors grab objects to throw toward the police during an anti-migrant demonstration outside of EU headquarters in Brussels, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018. (AP Photo)
The Associated Press
Protestors face off against the police during an anti-migrant demonstration outside of EU headquarters in Brussels, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018. Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators around the European Union headquarters at the end of a march to protest the adoption of a U.N. migration pact. (AP Photo)
The Associated Press
A protestor prepares to throw an object against the police during an anti-migrant demonstration outside of EU headquarters in Brussels, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018. Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators around the European Union headquarters at the end of a march to protest the adoption of a U.N. migration pact. (AP Photo)
The Associated Press
A protestor is hit by a police water cannon during an anti-migrant demonstration outside of EU headquarters in Brussels, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018. Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators around the European Union headquarters at the end of a march to protest the adoption of a U.N. migration pact. (AP Photo/Erik Luntang)
The Associated Press
Protestors face off against the police during an anti-migrant demonstration outside of EU headquarters in Brussels, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2018. Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators around the European Union headquarters at the end of a march to protest the adoption of a U.N. migration pact. (AP Photo/Erik Luntang)
The Associated Press
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