Belgium Bans Gatherings as Student Protests Turn Violent

Student protests in Liege, Belgium, have escalated into severe unrest, prompting the activation of the national emergency system advising businesses to “close your workplaces.” Despite earlier police appeals to “end the incidents and return to school,” widespread property damage forced Mayor Willy Demeyer to ban all public gatherings of more than three people until further notice. Amid spreading social media rumors of further attacks, local prosecutors have declared a strict “zero tolerance” policy for anyone fueling the riots physically or online.