Brussels police attempt to shut down conservative conference — RT World News
Authorities said the event attended by Viktor Orban and Nigel Farage presented a “potential for disruption.”
Belgian police barricaded the entrance to the National Conservatives' conference in the European Union capital for several hours, while participants denounced it as censorship and political repression.
The event, called NatCon, attracted populists from both Europe and the United States to Claridge's, a venue in central Brussels. As Brexit architect Nigel Farage spoke on Tuesday, police blocked the entrance and prevented keynote speaker Eric Zemmour – a former French presidential candidate – from entering.
“I knew I would never be welcomed back in Brussels” Farage, a former member of the European Parliament, joked on stage, calling for an attempt to cancel the event “Simply brutal.”
“In the past, Belgium received Victor Hugo in exile. From now on, this country lives between caliphate and dictatorship.” Zemmour He said On X (formerly Twitter).
Two other venues had previously backed out of hosting NatCon, under pressure from Socialist and Liberal mayors in Brussels and nearby Etterbeek, according to EU Politico. San Jose Ten Nude Mayor Amir Kiir told the outlet via email that he would do so “Immediately” Ban the event when informed that it is being held within its jurisdiction.
A Politico reporter at the scene said police were called “Possibility of public disturbance” To try to shut down the conference, arguing that they could not guarantee security in the event of a counter-protest.
“The conference is very peaceful. There is absolutely no public disturbance. The guests, including distinguished scholars and elected leaders, enjoy hearing civil discussions. NatCon organizers chirp As a response.
The standoff continued for most of the day. in “compromise” Claridge's owner contacted Kerr, and the police allowed the event to go ahead but prevented new arrivals from entering the venue – including Zemmour and French MP Patricia Chagnon.
“The last time they wanted to silence me with the police was when the communists attacked me in 1988. We did not surrender then and we will not surrender this time either!” He said Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is scheduled to speak on Wednesday.
Giorgia Meloni, Prime Minister of Italy and leader of the European Conservatives and Reformists, He denounced Police siege as well “The abhorrent suppression of freedom of expression taking place in Brussels.”
“If the globalists in Brussels put as much energy into securing our borders as they do trying to silence conservatives, our continent might be in a healthier state.” He said Former British Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who was able to speak at the event.
Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo also commented, calling on the police to take action “unacceptable.”
“Municipal self-government is the cornerstone of our democracy, but it can never be overturned by the Belgian Constitution which has guaranteed freedom of expression and peaceful assembly since 1830. The ban on political meetings is unconstitutional. Period,” he He said.
Today, we overcame the Brussels authorities' attempts to silence us and had a great day of NatCon Brussels 2. See you again tomorrow! pic.twitter.com/NO9I3CbnUl
– National Conservancy (@NatConTalk) April 16, 2024
NatCon's main organizer is the Edmund Burke Foundation, run by Israeli-American philosopher Yoram Hazony. The event comes ahead of the European Parliament elections in June, opinion polls show Increased support to “Get up” Parties based on the European People's Party and the Social Democratic blocs.
