US Embassy Holds 250th Anniversary Event in Brussels Park Amid Protests

The US Embassy to Belgium hosted an invitation-only event at Parc du Cinquantenaire in Brussels on Sunday to mark the 250th anniversary of US independence. US Ambassador to Belgium Bill White opened the ceremony. Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola were among those present.

Many US military personnel based in Brussels also attended. Guests participated in baseball, rode a mechanical bull and joined line dancing. The program included music, performances and a ceremonial flyover before ending with a drone and fireworks display.

White stated he had raised more than five million dollars from over 220 donors, including American and Belgian companies as well as private individuals. Sponsors listed by Euronews included Meta, Microsoft, Nike, McDonald's, Leonidas, Port of Antwerp-Bruges, Sabena, Van Moer Logistics and Sibelco.

Greenpeace unrolled a 600-square-metre banner in Grand Place square on Sunday morning that read 'War.

Greed. Energy Crisis. The group stated the banner condemned using the occasion to promote Trump’s political and corporate agenda and noted the event occurred against a backdrop of intensifying global instability driven by the White House.

Outside the security perimeter, activist groups Extinction Rebellion, Indivisible Belgium and Rise for Climate protested the privatisation of the public park. Local residents expressed discontent over the lack of communication about the event and the multi-day closure of the park during an ongoing heatwave across Europe.