The eleventh-hour denial of a permit for a Gaza protest prompts a spontaneous collective stroll instead.

The municipality of Luxembourg City’s abrupt refusal to grant a permit for a Gaza protest has sparked controversy, with the organizing committee alleging a lack of cooperation and an infringement on the right to demonstrate.

Over the weekend, two demonstrations occurred in Luxembourg City — one condemning Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, and the other addressing the situation in Gaza. According to reports, the organizers of the Gaza-focused protest were denied a permit, resulting in the demonstration evolving into a collective march from Glacis to Place Clairefontaine, as outlined in a statement from the Committee for a Just Peace in the Middle East. On-site reporters from RTL estimated that around 200-250 individuals participated in the march.

The municipality’s last-minute rejection has been criticized by the organizing committee, who accuse it of impeding collaboration and infringing on the right to protest. Additionally, on Saturday afternoon, supporters of the Israeli side in the conflict held a demonstration advocating for the release of hostages still held by Hamas.