Thousands participate in anti-terror march in Brussels; Victims honored with makeshift memorial

7,000 people marched in Brussels on Sunday in a silent protest against last month's attacks on Brussel's airport and metro station that led to the death of 32 people.

According to BBC, the demonstration was "calm and silent," and was joined by relatives of victims, paramedics and airport staff present during the March attacks, and members of religious groups.  The group carried a banner that read "Together in peace". A Muslim also held up a placard that said, "Love is my religion and faith."

The demonstrators also brought flowers to honor those who lost their lives in the incident.

The procession started from the Molenbeek area and moved towards the makeshift memorial outside Brussel's stock exchange.

Straits Times reported that a group of children who joined the demonstrators in Molenbeek chanted "Daesh, off you go, Brussels isn't for you!" The group was referring to Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS), the terrorist group reportedly responsible for the attacks in Brussels.

"When our fellow citizens, defenceless civilians, are cut down in a cowardly attack, all citizens should stand up to express their disgust and solidarity," said Liege councilor Hassan Bousetta, one of the organizers of the rally. "It is a moment of reflection, a message of compassion for the victims and a moment when citizens come together."

Local police in Brussels have arrested six suspects since the attack, Voice of America reported. Authorities said that extremist group that responsible for the attacks in Brussels is linked to the perpetrators behind the night of terror that engulfed Paris in November that killed 130 people.

Authorities in Brussels and security forces throughout Europe are under pressure to put an end to the successive streak of terrorism attacks in the region. There is criticism on the authorities' failure to stop the extremist groups from executing the bombings. They were also called out  for their weak security procedures and emergency response time.  

Tags

Brussels, brussels attacks, Belgium, ISIS, Terrorism, Europe, European Union, Paris Attacks

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