Brussels retailers board up shops amid tension over potential protests

Retailers in central Brussels, particularly along Rue Neuve, are barricading storefronts with wooden boards to prevent looting and vandalism ahead of a potentially volatile Saturday. The preemptive measures follow recent unrest and looting incidents in the capital and other European cities.

Local business owners, including managers from Nike, Footkorner, and JD Sports, expressed concerns regarding security and the adequacy of police presence during previous demonstrations. Some shopkeepers reported that past incidents involved groups of individuals smashing windows and stealing merchandise.

Authorities have noted that while calls for demonstrations are circulating on social media, no official organizers have been identified to coordinate with the city. Brussels police plan to deploy significant resources, including federal police vehicles and tear gas launchers, to manage the situation. The city's trade alderman, Didier Wauters, emphasized that while the right to protest is fundamental, it does not extend to the vandalism of public spaces or the destruction of business premises.