European Conservatives and Reformists Group from the European Parliament: “The end of democracy begins when the mainstream silences dissent.”
Belgian Prime Minister weighs in, describing today’s events as unconstitutional:
What happened at the Claridge today is unacceptable. Municipal autonomy is a cornerstone of our democracy but can never overrule the Belgian constitution guaranteeing the freedom of speech and peaceful assembly since 1830. Banning political meetings is unconstitutional.Full stop.
— Alexander De Croo(@alexanderdecroo) April 16, 2024
Éric Zemmour: “In the past, Belgium welcomed Victor Hugo in exile. From now on, this country lives between the caliphate and the dictatorship.”
18:00—ADF International backs emergency legal challenge after Brussels police shut down NatCon conference citing views on abortion, marriage, and the European Union.
— ADF International (@ADFIntl) April 16, 2024
BREAKING: We're backing an EMERGENCY LEGAL CHALLENGE against Brussels authorities who shut down peaceful "NatCon" conference
NEW: Authorities cited "ethically conservative" views on abortion and marriage amongst reasons to censor free speech. PRESShttps://t.co/CVwRviXeH9
The Tunisian-Belgian owner of The Claridge, the venue where NatCon Brussels is held, responding to a media question about his attitude toward hosting people whose political positions he may not agree with:
When I was approached for a request to come to this event in the Claridge, I don’t consider myself entitled to judge anyone. I am willing to debate, with respect. I know how to listen, I know how to think, and I know how to announce my position. This does not diminish in anything my person, and I believe that if I have intelligent people in front of me, it does not diminish in anything their position.
MCC Brussels’ Frank Füredi:
“When you have elected members of parliament being forced out, then you know that democracy is in trouble.”
“There’s a constant stream of threats from people claiming to be Antifa. But … this is not our first conference and these are not our first threats. It is the first time that the police have used these threats as an excuse to try to shut us down instead of defending us against threatened violence.”
15:45—Éric Zemmour, head of French Reconquête party and invited speaker, being prevented from entering the venue.
MEP Patricia Chagnon refused entry into the NatCon venue.
— Patricia Chagnon-Clevers (@ChagnonPatricia) April 16, 2024
#Bruxelles #direct
J’assiste stupéfaite à une interdiction d’acces à une réunion privée par un cordon de policiers sur décret municipal.
Cela ressemble fort à une opération de police politique pour bâillonner la liberté d’expression !
Soutien aux organisateurs @MCC_Brussels pic.twitter.com/2IN6qFp1Sq
15:08—Concession from mainstream journalists reporting NatCon event that today is a massive PR victory for Orban and the right in Brussels with blame being put on mayor rather than police.
14:53—Concern over impending arrival of Éric Zemmour shortly with police still refusing entry.
14:50—The European Conservative’s Zsófia Tóth-Bíró addressing the NatCon crowd.
14:48—Line of police blocking attendees from entering NatCon venue.
14:45—Speeches still ongoing at NatCon with police cordon remaining. Authorities have cited security concerns claiming the event is hosting anti-LGBT extremists. Owners and event organizers are challenging the order.
14:25—Filip DeWinter dealing with police at #NatCon event entrance. More police gathering and still not letting people in.
14:03—
After two venues already cancelled on the NatCon Brussels conference, the conference was well underway in a third venue when police arrived at 13:15 local time, having been asked to shut down the event.
