The real estate project plans to build a complex of car parks, housing and shops. The new project would add two floors at the level of the Taschen store, while at Place de la Justice, it would add about 8 floors. The block between the streets Lebeau, Straw and Ruysbroek would then become a mixed project of 41,500 square meters.

The main complaint of the residents is that the new project would be too big and tall. In fact, a letter from the authors of the petition says that “the volume will create in the surrounding streets a permanent shadow, and a feeling of encasement quite oppressive. This project, which borders directly on the Grand Sablon, will deeply affect the character and the charm of this district, which is essential to attract customers « . The Belgacom building is located in rue Labeau, in front of several classified houses, including the Maison Frison d’Horta.

According to the authors of the petition, also the architecture of the building should be preserved as “a reflection of the quality of the architecture of its time”. Moreover, the political and ecological aspects of demolition should be considered. For this reason, the letter continues “we must not erase the past systematically as it has been done so many times. The ecological footprint of such work is no longer acceptable or defensible in 2019”.

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That is why on the National French Fry Day a petition was launched by a Belgian company to re-name French fries as Belgian.

They wrote on their page:

« French fries are so ingrained in our culture! Preferably with an extra dollop of mayonnaise. We celebrate the big and small things in life with it. It is a moment of socializing with friends and family. 

The name ‘French fries’ is therefore a grease stain on the blazon of all Belgians. And that is precisely why it is time for us to claim our fries and rename ‘French fries’ to ‘Belgian fries’. Our fries culture is our pride and it is high time the rest of the world knew this too!

Sign the petition below and support the Belgian fries! »

You may sign the petition here.

The post Petition: Make fries Belgian again! appeared first on Brussels Express.

The parents and their 5 children finally found refuge in Belgium, in Grez-Doiceau a place favorable to their development and blossoming.

The Yusufi family are an integral part of the community, they have enriched its daily life.

The 5 children are educated with top grades in Grez and Jodoigne.

Parents are an example of resilience, love and determination.

This dignified life is threatened as this family is at risk of expulsion and a return to Afghanistan.

This family, originally from Kondoz in Afghanistan, received negative responses to the asylum applications they filed. Yet it is unthinkable for this family to return to Afghanistan for the following reasons. The conflict has recently intensified to the point that even the capital is considered a place where indiscriminate violence can affect civilians at any time. The Yusufi farm was confiscated, family members were killed in front of them. After their escape from Afghanistan, the Yusufi family first fled to Iran where their rights were being eroded.

They then crossed Turkey, Greece, Macedonia, Serbia, Hungary, Austria, Germany before finally landing in Belgium. Belgian law stipulates that subsidiary protection must be granted when there are « serious threats to the life or person of a civilian because of indiscriminate violence in the event of an internal or international armed conflict. The danger is further aggravated in the case of this family, which is part of an ethnic and religious minority, the hazaras. This minority is regularly targeted by numerous attacks, as attested by one of Amnesty International’s latest reports. For example, in November 2018, a suicide bomber attacking the Hazara community and claimed by the Islamic State killed 40 people.

You can help by signing the petition or making a donation.

The post A Hazara family living in Wallonia on the brink of being sent back to Afghanistan appeared first on Brussels Express.

That’s how Sandor Blasko starts his petition to demand Basic Fit to remain open later on weekends.  “It’s part of a bigger fight, trying to move Brussels closer to a 24/7 economy and to the 21st century,” he said to Politico’s playbook.

The post Petition: Longer Basic Fit opening hours on weekends appeared first on Brussels Express.