Day: August 22, 2025

Antwerp – On Sunday, August 24, 2025, Collectief Ongehoord and 20 local groups will stage a protest in Antwerp’s Te Boelaerpark against the removal of over 800 trees in Deurne due to tram and street projects, from 2 to 4 p.m., reports 24brussels.

As reported by GVA News, the protest will be organized by Collectief Ongehoord, a coalition consisting of approximately 20 local activist groups, including Extinction Rebellion, Juiste Spoor, Fridays for Future, and Grootouders voor het Klimaat, alongside several neighborhood committees.

“In too many places in Antwerp, trees are being cut down or threatened with being cut down, supposedly to promote progress in construction and redevelopment projects. The inestimable value of these (often mature) trees for the livability of our city is still too often forgotten,”

Collectief Ongehoord stated on Facebook.

What will Antwerp citizens and 20 groups do with over 800 trees?

The protest will take place in Te Boelaerpark, chosen deliberately to highlight the tram loop project in Deurne, which illustrates the vulnerability of green spaces in the city. The park, known for its tall trees, serves as a symbol of the threat posed to long-standing green areas by new construction efforts.

Scheduled for Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., the event will feature speeches from campaigners and guest speakers, alongside performances of music and poetry to support their call for change. The organizers emphasize that the blend of art and activism aims to underscore their demand for the protection of existing trees, stressing that new plantings cannot swiftly replace the ecological value of the mature trees being lost.

The tree felling in Deurne commenced on August 18, 2025, to make way for the construction of a new tram loop and street works. The project involves a tram turnaround but has ignited protests from residents, environmental advocates, and opposition parties. Demonstrations have occurred since the works began, although an emergency court appeal to halt the cutting was unsuccessful.

Police have intervened multiple times, sealing off sections of Drakenhoflaan and detaining protesters who refused to comply with evacuation orders. Opponents express concerns about damage to the local environment and loss of green space, while city officials argue that the tram loop is essential for future urban development.