ANTWERP (The Brussels Morning Newspaper): Activists in Antwerp have deflated the tyres of 46 SUVs in a protest against safety concerns and environmental impact. Police are investigating but the non-destructive nature of the act could limit legal action.
In Antwerp’s Zurrenborg district, activists have deflated the tyres of many SUVs, large family vehicles. Police have confirmed that 46 vehicles have been affected so far, and they are still searching the area as the number could rise. They are asking people to report any incidents and will review camera footage to find suspects. Bram van Rompey, who owns a Range Rover SUV, said he understands the activists’ concerns but feels it is complicated because everyone’s situation is different.
Why are tire fire extinguishers targeting SUVs in Antwerp?
Tire Firefighters are a group that stands up against SUVs because they believe that SUVs are bad for society and the environment. They blow out the tires of SUVs as a way to protest against their use. In a recent action in the Antwerp neighborhood of Churenborg, Tire Firefighters left leaflets criticizing SUVs. The leaflets say that SUVs are bad for society and the environment because they use more fuel than smaller cars. This high fuel usage increases carbon emissions and damages the environment. The leaflets also point out safety issues, saying that SUVs are more dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians in the event of an accident. This is because SUVs are bigger and taller, which means they are more likely to cause serious injuries in a collision. Tire Firefighters have used the same method in other cities as part of a larger campaign to reduce the use of SUVs and promote safer, more environmentally friendly transportation.
Is it legal for activists to deflate SUV tires?
In Antwerp, police are investigating who deflated SUV tires as part of a protest. The act does not cause physical damage, raising legal questions. As with previous legal opinions from the Ghent Public Prosecutor’s Office, if activists simply deflate tires without using tools, they do not cause actual damage. For this reason, the Ghent Public Prosecutor’s Office ruled that deflating tires is considered a non-destructive act that does not cause permanent damage to the vehicle, and therefore these activists cannot be prosecuted under the Property Damage Act. While the actual damage may be small or non-existent, police and law enforcement are still investigating this behavior, as it can disrupt things and affect vehicle owners. The investigation is trying to determine who is responsible and whether there are other legal questions related to what they are doing.
At the same time, the lawyers are referring to Article 521 of the Criminal Code, which states that deliberately rendering a vehicle unusable is punishable by imprisonment from 15 days to three years and a fine of 50 to 500 euros. Local resident Bram Van Rompaey borrowed a compressor to pump air into his car tires. “The hardest part is taking the leaflets off, because they are stuck on with a kind of wallpaper glue. I think I’ll try using a hairdryer,” he said.
