2023-05-17 11:46:00
Unusual scene this Wednesday at Place Dumon in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre. The PS carried out a commando operation: a rainbow pedestrian crossing was hastily drawn with color sprays. An action, carried out without authorization, which echoes the recent outings of the mayor Benoît Cerexhe (Les Engagés), refusing the installation of rainbow passages.
The operation was carried out on the initiative of the opposition councilor Cécile Vainsel (PS), the only socialist representative in the Sanpetrusian hemicycle, in the company of other sympathizers, including the alderman from Ixelles Nevruz Unal (PS) .
”These marks of support for the LGBTQI+ community in the public space are essential”, said Cécile Vainsel (PS), who had, this winter during the municipal council, asked for the installation of this type of passage. Request refused by the mayor. Once again, the elected opposition tackles the mayeur and his position judged “conservative” : “conservatism has no place in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, and nowhere else.”
No rainbow pedestrian crossing in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre: “just because others have done it doesn’t mean we have to do it automatically”
But the Sanpetrusian PS also points to Ecolo, the majority partner of the Engaged, so far not very talkative. “I am aware that the position of the mayor is isolated within the majority. But you have to have political courage. The local Ecolo has not made its voice heard, it’s a shame.”
”Illegal”, “it puts color”
The action was not at all to the taste of all motorists, who, in line for a few minutes, honked impatiently. Among passers-by in Place Dumon, the reactions are varied. “I find it important. You have to be human, let people express themselves”, explains the owner of the Be Burger. “It adds color”, smiled an elderly person. “Everyone does it, go see the other cities”, slips a Brussels resident.
A flag but no rainbow pedestrian crossing in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre, yet “the cans of paint were ready”
André, a Sanpetrusian pensioner, does not share this applause: “It’s excessive. Banners, benches… I find that good, and important. But the Highway Code is the Highway Code. The pedestrian crossing must remain white. There are other places to do that.” “And it’s illegal”, adds Jean, a local resident. In their defence, the Socialists point out that the action was carried out “in two minutes”with some “chalk sprays” washable with water.
”A political recovery of the Socialist Party”
By chance in the vicinity this Wednesday morning, the mayor Benoît Cerexhe quickly arrived on the scene to ascertain the facts. “I am very very surprised by this kind of method. It’s as if there was a problem with the defense of this cause, here in Woluwe-Saint-Pierre. But the rainbow flag floats in front of the town hall, we have customized benches, we have an awareness evening organized this evening…”
The mayor denounces a “political recovery of the Socialist Party” and an “degradation of public space” from the elected socialist. As for a possible complaint against Cécile Vainsel? “We will see what happens next in this case”, currently tempers the mayor. But one thing is certain: the municipal services have the passage removed.
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