Join us! Here’s what you should know
Find on this page information about: Legal, transport, accommodation and what to bring or not to bring.
Updates
Please join us on Telegram for further developments!
Legal information
Preventing traffic may result in an imprisonment from eight days to three months and a fine from 208 € to 4000 euros.
Preventing traffic with any obstacles may result in an imprisonment from eight days to three months and a fine from 208 € to 8.000 euros.
The most likely penalty is a SAC (municipal administrative penalty) of up to € 350.
Administrative detention is possible for up to 12 hours. The Police Court can also pronounce a withdrawal of the driving license for a period of at least eight days.
Malicious obstruction of traffic may result in imprisonment for five to ten years, if
- damage is caused to roads, structures or equipment, or
- use of dangerous means of transport or causing accidents
Accommodation
Are you looking for a place to stay? Can you provide some space? XR Belgium might be able to help out: We are using “Human Hotel” for you to easily find or share a place with fellow rebels. Basically AirBnB but for activists.
For guests
1/ Create an account at https://xr.humanhotel.org/register. Once you've verified your email address.
2/ Open this link. Alternatively, click on "Be a guest" and then "Find your host". Search for Brussels Belgium, look for dates around Sunday the 20th of June.
3/ Find a host on the map that appears on the right hand side.
For hosts
Human Hotel is basically AirBnB but for activists. To offer a place for someone to stay, do the following:
1/ Go to humanhotel.com/xr – click on "Become a host"
2/ Click on "Join XR Homestay" (alternatively go straight to https://xr.humanhotel.org/register) and follow the instructions to create an account
3/ Once you've confirmed your email address, go to "Become a host" a host again (short cut: https://xr.humanhotel.org/become-a-host?mode=new)
4/ Follow the procedure to become a host. Keep in mind: Ideally offer the room for free when you get to the section on "Price". In the description, additionally specify:
- Can you offer parking space, and for what size of car? Are there any free parking spots near you?
- Would you be able and willing to accomodate additional people, e.g. if they brought their own sleeping blanket?
- If you live outside of Brussels, how long does it take to get to Brussels by train or by car?
- Do you mind people using your kitchen or will they have to eat out?
5/ Once you've finished this process, you should also specify additional options:
- Calendar - block out the 2-3 months before Friday the 17th and Tuesday the 21st of June.
- Amenities: wheelchair accessibility, parking possibilities
- Specifying additional information is up to you.
6/ Click save
7/ Make sure also to turn on email / message notifications so you know when people try to book your place: Go to dashboard (upper right of screen, hover over the icon of the person and then click "Dashboard") Settings -> Notifications -> Tick on Email and/or SMS
Alternatives
Depeding on your budget, you might want to consider Hostels or sharing an AirBnB with your affinity group (of even via Human Hotel).
https://citizencorner.brussels
Guide to Brussels
Getting to Brussels
Train International trains will drop you off at either Brussels Midi or Central / North (almost all trains have to stop at these 3 stations, though some terminate at Midi).
Taking a train within Belgium to Brussels (e.g. from Ghent to Brussels) can be quite expensive unless you are under 26, in which case a youth ticket is ~6 euros. Weekend tickets are also around the same price.
Bus Most buses (e.g. Flixbus) will drop you off at Gare du Nord.
Car The Brussels ring is insanely congested - avoid it during rush hours at all costs! Parking in Brussels is also tricky due to the amount of cars (which in turn is due to the insanely stupid Belgian practice of giving everyone company cars).
A brief guide to Brussels
Welcome to one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Europe! Below you can find a map of Brussels with the major train stations indicated. The European quarter, where the vast majority of EU institutions and related corporations, NGOs, trade groups, ... are located.
Brussels is bilingual, so almost all locations have both a French and a Dutch name (we will only use the French names for convenience). That being said, most communes (districts) of Brussels are majoritarily French speaking and you should be able to get by easily just with English.
If the concrete jungle is oppressing you, the larger parks are Parc de Woluwe (eastern side of Brussels), Bois de La Cambre (south) and Forêt de Soignes (south east). Other parks, such as the Cinquentenaire, Parc Royale or Parc Josaphat, are quite small though still pleasant.
Corporate Guide to Brussels
If you want to have a tour of the lobbies and corporations in Brussels, check this guide out. Keep in mind it is very underwhelming - the offices of these groups are very discrete.
Action Checklist
Please do not bring these to any actions!
❌ Anything that can be interpreted as a weapon (even your favorite small pocket knife or nail scissors).
❌ Depending on your action level, anything that contains sensitive information about you and that you do not necessarily need in the action (e.g. journals, calendars, private phones, ...)
❌ No cliche activist clothing (hoodies, outdoor & sports clothing etc.) – dress like going to a casual office!
❌ No jewelry or accessoires that may prove uncomfortable in the event of police contact (for example when clearing a sit-in).
❌ Anything of emotional value that should not be damaged.
Highly recommended equipment
✅ Corona essentials: FFP2 or medical masks, desinfectant
✅ Identification papers (passport or ID)
✅ Durable food snacks & 2 liter water bottle
✅ At least one first aid kit per affinity group
✅ Medication you will need on a regular basis for the time you plan to stay in the action and possible times in custody (expect 7 days for emergencies)
✅ Change and variety of clothes: Check the weather! Also sunglasses, hats or rain protection etc.
Helpful equipment
✅ Waterproof felt-tip pen to write the legal hotline number on your arm
✅ Ballpoint pen and a blank piece of paper in plastic bag to write memory protocols after arrests or similar. (never sign or provide real names!).
✅ Emergency blanket (gold/silver foil) - good for cold and strong sun
✅ Sitting pad or similar with some insulation to sit on
Brighten up the mood
😍 Colors: Check out the action design proposal in the coming weeks so we can achive a unison, powerful look!
😍 Banner
😍 Decoration (as ecological as possible) for the action locations
😍 Glitter (ecologically degradable) or face paint
😍 Books, card games, etc. for somewhat longer blockades
😍 Musical instruments (preferably robust)
