Greenpeace unfurls 600 m² anti-Trump banner on Brussels' Grand-Place ahead of US 250th anniversary gala
Activists dropped a 600-square-metre banner reading 'War. Greed. Energy Crisis. What's there to celebrate?' as dignitaries including Belgian PM Bart De Wever and NATO chief Mark Rutte gather for a lavish US semiquincentennial event later today.
The banner drop
On Sunday morning, Greenpeace Belgium activists unfurled a 600-square-metre banner across the Grand-Place in Brussels, targeting the Trump administration hours before the United States was set to mark its 250th anniversary at a high-security gala in the city. The banner, printed in English, read: "War. Greed. Energy Crisis. What's there to celebrate?" The action was timed to coincide with the arrival of 5,000 guests for the evening celebration.
As a historic and deadly heat wave hits our country, it is shameful that our authorities are rolling out the red carpet for an openly climate-skeptic administration and organizing this lavish celebration.
Dignitaries and the US anniversary gala
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever (N-VA) and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte are among the senior figures expected at the event, which marks 250 years since the Declaration of Independence. The celebration, described by organisers as ultra-secure, will draw 5,000 guests to the Belgian capital. Greenpeace's protest targeted the presence of these leaders, accusing them of legitimising an administration it views as destabilising.
Political and climate critique
The environmental group said the banner was intended to denounce the "political and economic agenda" of President Donald Trump's administration. It cited a foreign policy that "destabilises global geopolitics" and an "energy dominance" programme that fuels conflict, deepens the global energy crisis and weakens international cooperation. The protest also highlighted the heat wave currently gripping Belgium, linking climate inaction by the US to deadly weather extremes.
European energy dependence
Greenpeace expressed alarm over what it sees as a growing dependence of several European countries on shale gas imported from the United States. The group argues that deepening ties with Washington on energy locks the EU into fossil fuel pathways and compromises its climate targets.
Continuing to stroke the Trump administration endangers our EU climate ambitions and our independence from tyrants.
