Resistance and protest in Haren: Interview with Laurent Moulin

How did you involve others in the struggle in Haren?

In 2012, we founded the 'Haren Buiten' movement, a separatist group that wanted to discuss autonomy for Haren. We organised information sessions where people could form their opinions about the prison project. This created a shared identity in our struggle. We weren't just a committee against the prison; we had been thinking about the future of Haren for some time.

Were you opposed to a prison by definition?

Not necessarily. We were willing to negotiate a smaller prison and the concept. What particularly appealed to me was the reflection surrounding it. This led to initiatives such as 'Les Patatistes', where we planted potatoes on the site and the neighbours got to know each other. This ultimately led to the ZAD movement (Zone à Defendre, a form of activism in which threatened natural or agricultural areas are permanently occupied to prevent them from being lost, ed.). That involvement gave me energy, but also frustration. Politicians and the Buildings Agency passed the buck to each other, without any transparency. To me, that showed that there is a fundamental problem with how we deal with our resources.

What was it like to campaign side by side with a radical movement like the ZAD?

This was not easy for everyone. Some felt little connection with the activism of this movement. Graffiti appeared in the streets, which caused resentment. You also lose a lot of time, because there are many conflicting ideas and interests: some protest mainly against the prison, others for the preservation of green space, and so on. 

I navigated between these two worlds. We talked to politicians, the press and the police, which some people viewed with suspicion. For them, only direct action was good enough. I used to be rather critical of this kind of disruptive activism. For example, there was a raid on the offices of the prison architect, during which the model was destroyed. I did not support that kind of protest. Now, however, I understand it better: throwing a stone through a window can reignite a discussion. 

How has the fight against the prison affected the community?

On the one hand, strong bonds have been formed between people who have worked together. On the other hand, the protest has also caused fatigue and burnout. Many people feel it is a defeat because the green space is gone. That brings both solidarity and disappointment. Some feel they have missed out on a lot by working so hard for something that, in their eyes, has not yielded any results. 

In my view, however, we have won the moral battle. We warned from the outset that this project was a bad idea. The prison has been built, but we have put our finger on the wound. We demonstrated that there was effectively no support for the project, either from politicians or from experts. I am proud that I was able to oppose such a gigantic system, but of course it also makes me sad that people are now locked up and forgotten.

What do you think has been gained?

Haren has been put on the map. The struggle has led to initiatives such as Fruity Haren and Solid'Haren. The protest bought us a five-year delay, during which time we organised many events at the Keelbeek site, such as concerts and discussions. 'Resistance is fertile' became an important motto. Despite the eventual construction of the prison, this struggle has changed the mindset. Hopefully, politicians will now think twice before starting another project like this. 

I like to think that we have succeeded in making people realise that they do indeed have power. Labels such as anarchist or activist are harmless. It is only when 'the citizen' gets angry that something like power emerges. We have felt that strongly here. Moreover, it does not stop here. With the Haren Observatory, we are asking ourselves what we can change in the prison itself. 

What exactly is the role of the Haren Observatory?

This collective continues to critically monitor the prison. We have said from the outset: you have built your block, but the debate about the prison system continues. Citizens have a role to play in this. We want to continue to observe and prove that the criticism was justified.

In June, we will also hold a neighbourhood party to meet visitors and staff. One of our hopes is that the prison will also interact with community life in Haren. This would, of course, be easier if it were a small prison. 

Are there any other actions planned?

We are looking for connections with other initiatives and sending out press releases. Participation remains a point of contention. In many projects, such as the reconstruction of Verdunstraat, they listened but did nothing with our comments. The basic decisions are often already made, which makes participation unfair. People are quick to think that if the government approves a project, it must be necessary. That makes it difficult to convince people.

What have you learned from this struggle?

On a human level, I have learned a lot about prisoners. They need neighbours and are people like us who have been less fortunate. As far as participation is concerned, meetings and discussions give energy. I have realised that there are no bad ideas, as long as there is energy behind them. Even actions I did not support, such as vandalism, sometimes led to important discussions.

What can others in Haren learn from this?

That Haren is part of Brussels, but also has its own identity. The village is rich in walking routes, nature and history. It remains important to connect people. Some people walk through Haren and at some point say, 'No one from Haren lives on this street'. That's a shame. We must continue to look for new ways to strengthen the sense of community. The next generation must be able to create new initiatives. I am waiting for the right moment to support that.