Brussels Mayor Approves Protest Against Internet Laws

BRUSSELS – Brussels mayor Freddy Thielemans (PS) has today authorized a demonstration "for a free and open Internet" to be held Saturday in front of the Bourse. Organized by two minors from Walloon Brabant, the protest will be held from 17:00 to 20:00.

Occupying Wall Street: Protestors have long outnumbered traders at the Bourse, where  dozens of protests are held each year.

Following the FBI's closure of megaupload.com – one of the world's most popular sites, on charges of illegally sharing movies, TV shows and books – a YouTube video was posted announcing the rally would take place Saturday at the Grand Place. A Facebook group also began promoting the event, but the venue had to be changed because the Grand Place is "neutral zone" where protests are not permitted.

The two organizers, being minors who needed to ask an adult to officially take responsibility for the event, indicated that they are not members of the group Anonymous. "Several laws are about to be voted on in Europe and the United States to censor the web", says the Facebook page of the event, citing in particular the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA). "Megaupload would be only the beginning. If these laws are passed, the Internet we know today will no longer exist...", it continues. Calling for a "peaceful protest", they insist on that to "hide one's face in public is a crime." (Anonymous members are known for wearing Guy Fawkes masks.)

As of this afternoon, more than 800 of approximately 10,000 invited via Facebook guests had confirmed their participation.