Violence Erupts at Protest Near U.S. Embassy in Brussels

Violence has erupted near the U.S. Embassy in Brussels today; protesters at an anti-austerity  are said to be demonstrating.  

The embassy was not a target of the protest, which took place in an area of the Belgian capital close to many government offices.

Protesters are said to have thrown objects at riot police. Water cannons were fired at demonstrators and the area was closed off to traffic.

A British lawmaker posted on Twitter that the embassy was “under lock down” but that was not immediately confirmed by workers inside.

Ian Campbell, head of the Scottish Government’s European Union office, which is close to the scene, said he could see some demonstrators ripping up pavement to throw at police.

“They are throwing things at the police. One of the police was injured and taken to hospital in an ambulance,” Campbell added. “Police are using water cannon to push back protesters – they’re getting very wet.”