19
Feb 2026
9:46 UTC
Belgium Tactical: Far-right protest, far-left counterprotest to take place at Surlet De Chokierplein in Brussels at 20:00 (local time) on February 19; avoid nonessential travel
Current Situation
- On February 19, a Flemish far-right and ethnic-nationalist group Voorpost, is holding a protest at Surlet De Chokierplein, Brussels, at 20:00 (local time).
- The far-right protest is being held to denounce the death of a far-right student activist during protests in Lyon, France, after being physically assaulted by anti-fascist protesters on February 12.
- In response to this, multiple left-wing and antifascist groups, including the Brussels chapter of the “Antifascist Action”, “Front d’Action Revolutionnaire”, and “Universite Populaire de Bruxelles” have announced a counter-protest at the same location and time, describing the Voorpost gathering as a provocation.
Source: Instagram
Assessments & Forecast
- While recent far-right and far-left mobilizations in Brussels have generally drawn attendance in the mid- to high dozens, the heightened sentiment surrounding this incident, accompanying media coverage, and traction across social media platforms will likely increase turnout. The scheduled far-right protest and counter-protest are therefore likely to attract participants in the mid to high hundreds each.
- In addition to heightened sentiment, the risk of unrest remains elevated given precedent, as the previous Voorpost rallies in Belgium have resulted in disorder, including at a May 2025 gathering in Zutendaal. Coupled with the proximity of ideologically opposed groups at the same time and location, there is a high likelihood of confrontations. Any unrest would likely manifest as clashes between rival protesters and police, attempts to breach cordons, and the throwing of projectiles.
- The threat environment is further aggravated by Voorpost’s adherence to the “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory, prior legal scrutiny involving its members over allegations linked to the harassment of asylum seekers at a hotel, as well as recent rhetoric and statements calling for “appropriate punishment” against anti-fascist actors. Risk levels are additionally heightened by the posture of Antifascist Action, which circulated online content on February 2 referencing preparation for physical confrontation. Taken together, inflammatory rhetoric from both sides and evidence of prior disorder underscore the heightened risk of unrest.
- As such, authorities are likely to implement a reinforced security posture, including a heightened police presence, to supervise proceedings and maintain separation between opposing groups. In the event of unrest, police are expected to conduct targeted arrests and may deploy crowd-control measures, including water cannons, to disperse gatherings and restore order.
- Significant disruptions to vehicular and pedestrian traffic are anticipated in the vicinity of Surlet de Chokierplein from the late evening hours onward.
Recommendations
- Those operating or residing in Brussels on February 19 are advised to avoid nonessential travel in the vicinity of Surlet De Chokierplein due to the high risk of unrest during the scheduled protest and counter-protest from the late evening hours.
- Allot for disruptions to vehicular and pedestrian traffic as well.
COUNTRY RISK LEVEL
Low
AFFECTED AREA
Brussels, Belgium
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL
High
STRENGTH OF SOURCE
Credible
Current Situation
- On February 19, a Flemish far-right and ethnic-nationalist group Voorpost, is holding a protest at Surlet De Chokierplein, Brussels, at 20:00 (local time).
- The far-right protest is being held to denounce the death of a far-right student activist during protests in Lyon, France, after being physically assaulted by anti-fascist protesters on February 12.
- In response to this, multiple left-wing and antifascist groups, including the Brussels chapter of the “Antifascist Action”, “Front d’Action Revolutionnaire”, and “Universite Populaire de Bruxelles” have announced a counter-protest at the same location and time, describing the Voorpost gathering as a provocation.
Source: Instagram
Assessments & Forecast
- While recent far-right and far-left mobilizations in Brussels have generally drawn attendance in the mid- to high dozens, the heightened sentiment surrounding this incident, accompanying media coverage, and traction across social media platforms will likely increase turnout. The scheduled far-right protest and counter-protest are therefore likely to attract participants in the mid to high hundreds each.
- In addition to heightened sentiment, the risk of unrest remains elevated given precedent, as the previous Voorpost rallies in Belgium have resulted in disorder, including at a May 2025 gathering in Zutendaal. Coupled with the proximity of ideologically opposed groups at the same time and location, there is a high likelihood of confrontations. Any unrest would likely manifest as clashes between rival protesters and police, attempts to breach cordons, and the throwing of projectiles.
- The threat environment is further aggravated by Voorpost’s adherence to the “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory, prior legal scrutiny involving its members over allegations linked to the harassment of asylum seekers at a hotel, as well as recent rhetoric and statements calling for “appropriate punishment” against anti-fascist actors. Risk levels are additionally heightened by the posture of Antifascist Action, which circulated online content on February 2 referencing preparation for physical confrontation. Taken together, inflammatory rhetoric from both sides and evidence of prior disorder underscore the heightened risk of unrest.
- As such, authorities are likely to implement a reinforced security posture, including a heightened police presence, to supervise proceedings and maintain separation between opposing groups. In the event of unrest, police are expected to conduct targeted arrests and may deploy crowd-control measures, including water cannons, to disperse gatherings and restore order.
- Significant disruptions to vehicular and pedestrian traffic are anticipated in the vicinity of Surlet de Chokierplein from the late evening hours onward.
Recommendations
- Those operating or residing in Brussels on February 19 are advised to avoid nonessential travel in the vicinity of Surlet De Chokierplein due to the high risk of unrest during the scheduled protest and counter-protest from the late evening hours.
- Allot for disruptions to vehicular and pedestrian traffic as well.
COUNTRY RISK LEVEL
Low
AFFECTED AREA
Brussels, Belgium
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL
High
STRENGTH OF SOURCE
Credible
Related Reports
Belgium
-
ProtestEurope Tactical: Protests related to Russia-Ukraine conflict to be held in multiple cities regionwide on February 21-24; allot for disruptions -
DevelopingGlobal Tactical: Social media site X/Twitter facing outage issues in multiple regions as of February 16; allot for disruptions -
ProtestBelgium Tactical: Unionized firefighters to march from Avenue de l’Heliport in Brussels at 09:30 (local time) on February 12; allot for disruptions
-
ProtestBelgium Tactical: Unionized public sector workers to hold protest actions in multiple cities, including Brussels, on February 10-12; allot for disruptions
Related Reports
Belgium
-
ProtestEurope Tactical: Protests related to Russia-Ukraine conflict to be held in multiple cities regionwide on February 21-24; allot for disruptions
-
DevelopingGlobal Tactical: Social media site X/Twitter facing outage issues in multiple regions as of February 16; allot for disruptions
-
ProtestBelgium Tactical: Unionized firefighters to march from Avenue de l’Heliport in Brussels at 09:30 (local time) on February 12; allot for disruptions
-
ProtestBelgium Tactical: Unionized public sector workers to hold protest actions in multiple cities, including Brussels, on February 10-12; allot for disruptions