Tens of thousands of people on Sunday staged a protest in Brussels against restrictions against COVID-19, some clashing with police who fired water cannons and tear gas to disperse them near the European Commission’s headquarters. 

Belgian police said that the rally drew about 50,000 people.

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It was peaceful at first as protesters chanted and filled streets, waving placards and balloons with slogans like: “We want to be free again” and “No Covid slave ticket”, a reference to vaccine passes required for certain activities.

Trouble flared later, with a building housing the European diplomatic service and a sandwich shop broken into, a Reuters journalist said. Police said more than 60 people were arrested, with three officers and 12 demonstrators taken to hospital.

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On Friday, Belgium announced a slight easing of coronavirus restrictions despite record infections, but also said people must have booster shots after five months to keep passes for bars, cinemas and many other public spaces.

Reuters reported that Belgium is facing a fifth wave of COVID-19 infections, with the peak not expected for at least a couple of weeks.

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Some 89 percent of Belgian adults are fully vaccinated and 67% have now also received a booster shot.