Seals Demo in Brussels
Live from the Rally
Tuesday, 1st July 2008
13.00 to 15.00
Brussels, Belgium
Click here to RSVP
Help to stop the slaughter of seals by taking part in a peaceful demonstration that could help end the world's largest killing of marine mammals. The European Commission is currently considering to ban the import and trade of seal products. It is vitally important that the people of Europe, who overwhelmingly support such a ban, send a clear message to the Commission. Join Humane Society International, Eurogroup, IFAW, GAIA and other animal welfare organisations from all over Europe to make your voice heard. Click here to RSVP.
To maximise the impact of the demonstration and to avoid negative media reports, we urge all participants to be on their best behaviour.
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Location
Outside Berlaymont (headquarters of the European Commission), Rue de la Loi 200, 1000 Brussels. MAP
How to get there by bus or car
If travelling from the north: take the exit onto A10/E40 toward Brussels, continue on Keizer Karellaan/R20. Continue to follow R20, take the ramp onto R20a/Regentlaan, slight right to stay on Belliardstraat/N23. Continue to follow Belliardstraat, turn left at Froissartstraat. At Robert Schumanplein, take the 4th exit onto Wetstraat.
If travelling from the south: when travelling on the A4, take exit 1 towards E19/E40, take exit Sint-Stevens-Woluwe to merge onto A3/E40 towards Brussels. Take the exit towards N23/N23a, keep left at the fork to continue toward N23/N23a and merge onto N23/N23a. Continue to follow N23a. At Robert Schumanplein, take the second exit onto Wetstraat.
If travelling from the east: travel on the a2 when entering Belgium. Then take the exit onto A3/E40 towards Brussels, and take the exit towards N23/N23a. Keep left at the fork to continue toward N23/N23a and merge onto N23/N23a. Continue to follow N23a. At the Schuman roundabout, take the second exit onto Wetstraat.
How to get there by public transport
By train: from Brussels Central follow the signs to the metro and buy a ticket at the ticket office. Either buy a day card for €4 or two singles for €3. Turn left at the ticket office and down the stairs to take the metro from line 1B direction Stokkel/Stockel. Get out at the fourth stop at Schuman. Berlaymont will be near the exit of the metro station. If arriving at Brussels Midi/Zuid, follow the signs to the metro, buy ticket, and take the metro from line 2 direction Simonis. Get out at the sixth stop at Art-Loi/Kunst-Wet, and take the metro from line 1B direction Stokkel/Stockel. Get out two stops later at Schuman. Berlaymont will be near the exit of the metro station. View a map of the metro system.
By plane: Zaventem and Charleroi are the nearest airports to Brussels. From Zaventem take bus 12, which will take you directly to Place Schuman, which is next to Berlaymont. From Charleroi take the shuttle bus, which will take you to Brussels Mid/Zuid train station.
Parking
The best place to park near Berlaymont is in Avenue de la Renaissance/Renaissancelaan. At the Schuman roundabout near Berlaymont, turn into Avenue de Cortenbergh/Kortenberglaan, then turn right into Avenue de la Renaissance/Renaissancelaan at the first opportunity. It is easy to recognise as there is a big mosque at the corner.
Accommodation
If you decide to stay the night, Brussels offers a wealth of hotels and hostels in all price ranges. View a list of hotels or hostels.
Emergencies
Emergency Services: To contact the police, phone 101. To report a fire or request an ambulance, dial 100. In Brussels you can also call 105 for a Red Cross ambulance. Operators normally speak English.
Pharmacy: The nearest pharmacy can be found at Avenue de Cortenbergh/Kortenberglaan 77. Lecroart E. Vossen is open from 9am until 7pm. If walking from Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat, simply turn left at the Schuman roundabout (where you have the Fortis bank on the corner).
Embassies: View contact details of your embassy.
Red Cross volunteers will be at hand during the demonstration for any medical problems. There will also be stewards to help maintain the safety of all the participants.
