23.10.2026 20:10
Brussels shopkeepers went on alert ahead of large-scale protests planned for Saturday, October 24. Following calls for demonstrations across the city, shop owners, fearing possible looting and vandalism, took precautions by covering their storefronts with wooden boards.
In Brussels, the capital of Belgium, businesses increased their security measures ahead of demonstrations expected to take place on Saturday, October 24. Many stores, concerned that the looting and vandalism seen in past demonstrations might recur, covered their shop windows with wooden panels. The conspicuous measures on shopping streets in the city center highlighted the unease of business owners.
STORE WINDOWS WERE BOARDED UP On Rue Neuve, one of Brussels' busiest shopping areas, many businesses protected their windows against possible attacks and looting. Wooden panels were used at stores such as Nike, JD Sports and Footkorner, which were targeted during previous demonstrations, while some businesses were reported to have increased the number of security guards.
The measures were not limited to businesses whose stores had previously been damaged and spread to other commercial locations in the area. Business owners turned to taking new precautions to protect both their premises and their employees.
STORES HAD BEEN LOOTED IN PREVIOUS DEMONSTRATIONS During demonstrations held in Brussels on October 17, there were incidents of disorder and looting at some stores. The manager of a Nike store on Rue Neuve said the store's window was broken with a piece of concrete, after which about 30 people entered and about 60 products were stolen.
After the incidents, businesses tightened security measures out of concern that similar scenes could occur during a new demonstration.
ANXIOUS WAIT FOR SATURDAY New calls for gatherings for Saturday, October 24 circulated on social media. However, according to information in the Belgian press, no official demonstration application was made for that date. It also remained unclear who made the calls and what kind of turnout there would be on Saturday.
Some businesses hung signs reading “We Are Open” on the panels so that customers could enter. While the measures taken by businesses do not mean that a new incident will definitely occur, they revealed the impact on businesses of the damage caused during previous demonstrations. In the city, attention turned to the measures security forces would take on Saturday and the course of possible demonstrations.