March against racism
1 July 2025
In response to the hooligan violence during the cup final in May, the collective “Ik ben België-Je suis Belgique” plans to organise a march from Molenbeek to Bruges, sending a message of connection. Read Bruzz ‘s article here!
The text is a translation from the article in Dutch.
After hooligan violence: Brussels residents organise march against racism from Molenbeek to Bruges
Outrage over Bruges’ hooligan violence in Molenbeek remains high. Several Brussels residents are therefore organising a march against racism from Molenbeek to Bruges at the end of September. During that three-day event, they will also bring a work of art, made up of debris from the Brico Ben warehouse.
We rewind for a moment: in the run-up to the cup final on 4 May, at least hundreds of Bruges supporters walk through the streets of Molenbeek to the Heysel Stadium. Several dozen show themselves to be very aggressive in the process. Among other things, they invaded DIY shop Brico Ben, where they beat up the 73-year-old proprietor and his son and vandalised the warehouse. The aggression in turn triggered a violent backlash by Brussels youths against Bruges supporters, many of whom had nothing to do with the raid.
The events of 4 May continue to reverberate in Brussels today. Several locals therefore decided to organise a march from Molenbeek to Bruges on 26, 27 and 28 September, with stops in Aalst and Ghent. The initiators call themselves the collective “Ik ben België – Je suis la Belgique”.
We are composed of French and Dutch speakers and we are people of all origins,’ explains initiator Younes El Montasser, himself a vice headmaster in a French-speaking secondary school in Molenbeek. ‘We walk side by side to make it clear: Belgium belongs to all of us. We reject division and resolutely choose an inclusive and inclusive society.’
Upon arrival, participants plan to hand out a flower (or a symbolic note) to passers-by, accompanied by a message of solidarity. ‘With this simple, symbolic gesture, we want to sow hope in the places where hatred has tried to take root,’ he said.
‘We also want to show our young people that you don’t necessarily have to respond to violence with violence,’ El Montasser explained. ‘There are also other ways to assert your rights.’
The collective gathered young people who are currently working on two mosaic artworks that they are fabricating with the debris from the Brico Ben warehouse. One of them will have a place in Molenbeek and the intention is to take the second work on the march and give it a place in Bruges. The tools they use they also bought from the DIY shop.
‘These artworks are a tribute to the victims of violence, but also a clear sign that we reject the racism and violence of 4 May,’ El Montasser explains. ‘At the same time, by doing so, we also provide a space where our young people can express themselves on those issues and address politicians on them. Because there are no second-class citizens in our country.’
‘Interior Minister Bernard Quintin (MR) already wants to be at the inauguration in Molenbeek,’ El Montasser knows. ‘With the Bruges city council, we are currently still discussing practical details.’
