Global Protests Planned for International Day Against Police Brutality
Executive Summary
As March 15, 2025, approaches, protests, vigils, and events are being planned worldwide for the International Day Against Police Brutality. Activists and advocacy groups in cities across North America and Europe are organizing demonstrations, art exhibits, and discussions to highlight police misconduct and systemic abuses. Tensions are expected to run high in cities like Brussels, Montreal, and Vancouver, where past protests have led to clashes with law enforcement. Authorities are increasing security measures as concerns grow over potential unrest.
Analysis
The International Day Against Police Brutality, first established in 1997, has grown into a global movement against law enforcement abuses. While it was initially led by anarchist groups, the day has since gained traction among broader civil rights organizations and activists who call for systemic reforms. This year’s observance is taking place amid ongoing debates about police funding, surveillance expansion, and allegations of racial bias in policing, fueling widespread mobilization.
In North America, Olympia, Washington, will host an event focusing on resisting police actions and advocating for prison abolition. The gathering, organized by anarchist collectives, includes “Know Your Rights” training, a fundraiser for incarcerated activists, and a memorial for those killed by police. In Canada, Vancouver’s “Honour Their Names” exhibit will commemorate Indigenous and Black lives lost to police violence, while Montreal’s annual protest is expected to draw thousands despite a heavy police presence.
Europe is also seeing a surge in activism. Brussels will be the site of a major demonstration demanding disciplinary reforms and greater oversight of law enforcement. The protest follows a series of high-profile cases in Belgium, where activists argue that police brutality remains underreported due to a lack of official statistics. Organizers claim that ten deaths linked to police intervention occurred in Belgium in 2023 alone, with many more cases of alleged misconduct going unpunished.
Authorities in multiple cities are preparing for the possibility of violence, citing past confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement. In Montreal, previous years have seen riot police deploying pepper spray and making mass arrests, while in Brussels, tensions flared during last year’s protest as demonstrators clashed with officers near key government buildings. Law enforcement agencies argue that their presence is necessary to maintain public order, but activists view these measures as an attempt to suppress dissent.
