On 2 March 2026, the City of Antwerp today launched a new campaign against discrimination and harassment. With a catchy song and a series of videos, the City is calling on residents to always respond as bystanders when they witness discrimination or intimidation.
The initiative builds on earlier efforts such as the ‘Allemaal Antwerpenaar’ (‘All Antwerpians‘) and ‘Reageer Altijd’ (‘Always React‘) campaigns. The campaign will run until 21 March, the International Day against Racism and Discrimination.
Responding as a reflex
At the heart of the campaign is one clear message: “It’s always good to do something”. The city is encouraging people to react whenever they witness discrimination or inappropriate behaviour.
A series of short videos portrays recognisable situations in which individuals experience discrimination or harassment: on the bus, in the street, at work, at school or in a sports club.
Dancers perform to an upbeat song, demonstrating how bystanders can intervene safely: by addressing someone directly, involving others, distracting attention or simply remaining present to show support. Even a small action, the campaign stresses, can make a significant difference to a victim.
Mayor Els van Doesburg (N-VA) said: “In Antwerp we are free, and freedom means being able to move around your city without fear. Intimidation fundamentally undermines that freedom. There can therefore be zero tolerance for it in our city. Being ‘All Antwerpians’ also means looking out for one another. When someone is being intimidated, we help, we report it and we support each other.”
Alderman for Equal Opportunities Lien Van de Kelder (Vooruit) added: “Everyone should be able to be themselves and feel safe in Antwerp. Discrimination and harassment have no place in our city. With this campaign, we continue to build on our ‘Allemaal Antwerpenaar’ campaigns in the fight against discrimination, harassment and polarisation. We show how even small responses or gestures can make a big difference: how one simple act can make our city warmer. The city also offers highly accessible training on discrimination, inclusion and bystander behaviour. We are all different, but above all we are all Antwerp residents who stand up for one another. And that is how it should be.”
All tips and information on how to respond safely as a bystander can be found at www.ikreageer.be.
As in previous years, a toolkit is available for schools, companies and social organisations, including posters that organisations can personally sign. Posters will also be distributed in hospitality venues, while stickers will be available at social organisations and city locations.
Broad and structural approach
The campaign forms part of a broader, integrated strategy to tackle discrimination and harassment. Antwerp focuses on prevention, awareness-raising and victim support, with the aim of strengthening a culture of respect, solidarity and connection in the city.
In recent years, the city has organised several campaigns promoting unity, including ‘Allemaal Antwerpenaar’ and ‘Reageer Altijd’. In autumn 2025, it also ran a campaign against sexually inappropriate behaviour, explicitly urging people to report street harassment.
