Brussels cancels fireworks over terror concerns for New Year's Eve

[Morphine Prince 109,998]

Brussels, Belgium (CNN) - Bars and restaurants around the Grand Place, the iconic, historical central square of Brussels, are emptier than usual at this time of year after Belgian police Monday night broke up a plot to target the square and other crowded spaces in Brussels during New Year festivities.

Authorities also canceled the New Year's Eve fireworks display scheduled to take place near the Grand Place because of the ongoing security concerns, which Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel addressed on Belgian television: "I believe that we are being confronted with a new stage in the history of Europe. The European authorities need to do more. We have to defend our way of life, our freedom to go to the cinema, to go to the theatre, to go out. We all have to be mobilized."

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2015/12/30/europe/belgium-terror-scare/index.html?sr=fbCNN123015belgium-terror-scare0915PMVODtopLink&linkId=20000150

[bionic 50,111]

Maybe my grasp of the English language is wrong but does the Prime Minister's quote not contradict cancelling the event?

[AJH219 4,448]

This is exactly what terrorists want, society living in fear. These decisions only reinforce their power over us. 

[Bad Bromance 5,809]

19 minutes ago, bionic said:

Maybe my grasp of the English language is wrong but does the Prime Minister's quote not contradict cancelling the event?

Yeah, I kind of feel the same way you do.  The irony is that if they know about the supposed plot and decide to carry out the festivities and something goes down, the entire world will blame the government for not cancelling anything.  It's like you're damned if take cautions for the greater good and you're damned if you don't.  In other words, a very double-edged sword, unfortunately.

[FlopSlut 1,190]

35 minutes ago, ajhuffman219 said:

This is exactly what terrorists want, society living in fear. These decisions only reinforce their power over us. 

Exactly! They shouldn't give into the fear. That just leads to even more mess 

So many negative outcomes 

[Luc 4,776]

I just hope nothing happens :pray: I'm already happy Christmas went well. Imagine a terrorist attack at a christmas market or something!

[politicqxs 358]

1 hour ago, bionic said:

Maybe my grasp of the English language is wrong but does the Prime Minister's quote not contradict cancelling the event?

He is saying "let's ban the Muslims because we can't go to cinemas any more".