Story perspectives

Liège Mayor Bans Street Gatherings Over Three Until Oct. 16

By Drooid · Oct 8, 2026, 11:58 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Mayor Demeyer Bans Gatherings

Mayor Willy Demeyer banned street gatherings of more than three people until Oct 16.
Police have arrested 194 people in Liège since Oct 1, including 114 minors.
Forty-three officers were injured during the protests.
Demonstrators set fires, smashed windows and used Molotov-cocktail materials, prompting police tear gas.
Mayor Demeyer urged calm, saying dialogue should let youths express grievances peacefully.

Summary

Quintin Blames Antifa

Interior Minister Bernard Quintin said the Liège riots are driven by an Antifa-type movement manipulating children.
Police Chief Jean-Marc Demelenne reported that recent rioters increasingly include adults unrelated to pupils.
Smartoys retailer estimated €30,000 losses after its downtown store was looted during the unrest.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio launched an initiative to prioritize violent left-wing extremism as a counter-terrorism threat.

History

Historical Context

The 2005 French riots erupted on 27 October in Clichy-sous-Bois after two youths died, leading to three weeks of unrest that burned over 8,000 cars and produced more than 2,760 arrests. Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy imposed a zero-tolerance policy and sent riot police. Liège’s unrest, where mayor Willy Demeyer banned three-person gatherings and officials Bernard Quintin and Jean-Marc Demelenne report adult participants, mirrors that French turmoil.

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Mayor Demeyer Bans Gatherings

Mayor Willy Demeyer banned street gatherings of more than three people until Oct 16.
Police have arrested 194 people in Liège since Oct 1, including 114 minors.
Forty-three officers were injured during the protests.
Demonstrators set fires, smashed windows and used Molotov-cocktail materials, prompting police tear gas.
Mayor Demeyer urged calm, saying dialogue should let youths express grievances peacefully.

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