Relatives hold serene tribute to Pieter Aerts, who died after police intervention (Antwerp)
A few dozen people gathered at the steps of the Butterfly Palace in Antwerp on Saturday afternoon for a serene tribute to Pieter Aerts. He died three years ago at the age of 35 after a police intervention in his apartment on Plantin en Moretuslei in Antwerp.
be silent. to research. horror. To ask. sadness. anger. woe. relive. undergo. René Aerts and Nic Bauweraerts exercise tried to summarize their experience of their agony on one of three banners. A rollercoaster of feelings, especially after their son Pieter Aerts died on 9 July 2019 at 2.45 pm after a police intervention.
The couple wants a consideration for Pieter, they already told our newspaper last weekend. An honest answer about what happened on that fateful Tuesday afternoon three years ago.
Draw strength
“Already then, and still today, we are convinced that Pieter did not have a knife. He was not like that at all, his father René said on Saturday to the dozens of friends and family who gathered on the steps of the Butterfly Palace. Master Johan Vangenechten, the parents’ lawyer, was also present at the tribute.
“We are venting our feelings today. We can’t do it too hard yet, but finally talking makes steam”, René says hopefully
The investigation into the facts is not yet finished, but is gradually in its final phase. “We have to continue to drive that research ourselves, otherwise it would have been non-existent in the meantime. It’s positive that we’re ready, if we get the right to speak tomorrow. We have our story ready,” said René.
Change
During the commemoration, which was also marked by other signs of excessive police brutality, Pieter’s parents expressed their hope that the death of their son can bring about a change. “We are going for a recognizable police force with a social mission”, René said.
The tribute ended on a note. A soul song by Ad Funk resounded through the speakers, where Pieter used to play the saxophone.
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