MOSCOW, November 6 (RIA Novosti) — Clashes between riot police and demonstrators broke out in Brussels at a nationwide anti-austerity strike, RT TV channel reported Thursday.
According to RT, the protest, peaceful at first, saw the escalation of violence as tear gas and water cannons were deployed by the riot police in response to upturning cars and rocks hurled at the police.
About 100,000 people took to the streets in the Belgian capital at a protest opposing the Belgian government's announcement of austerity measures and raising of the retirement age, the TV channel said.
The demonstrators gathered around noon near Brussels-North railway station and passed through the city's main streets to the Brussels-South station.
The rally was announced on October 15. According to trade union representatives, it was directed against the government's plans, which they consider to be "anti-social, disproportionate and unfair."
Demonstrators also oppose budget cuts in health care and the lack of sufficient taxes on the rich.
