Thousands protest in Brussels against regional spending cuts

As many as 15,000 people marched Thursday in Brussels to protest spending cuts and reforms introduced last autumn by the Walloon regional government.

Teachers, educators, students, childcare staff and cultural sector workers took to the streets to denounce the measures and the lack of consultation.

“I am here to tell the government to listen to teachers and understand their anger. If we are in the streets today, it is not for nothing,” said Mathias, a geography teacher from Gosselies, broadcaster RTBF reported.

“With the common core reform and the extra two weekly hours in secondary schools, there is real instability in schools for the upcoming year,” said Mathias.

He added that “schools need stability, not chaos.”

Students from higher education joined the demonstration, chanting against tuition fee increases while banging pots and pans.

The march started at the Gare du Midi railway station and followed Petite Ceinture road, stopping outside the MR headquarters, heavily guarded by police.

It is reportedly the second joint demonstration across sectors in the Walloon Region in months.

Between 5,000 and 7,000 demonstrators marched Dec. 15 in central Brussels against the spending measures.