Extinction Rebellion plans 12 October protest in Royal Palace gardens

Environmental activism group Extinction Rebellion is planning a peaceful protest in the gardens of Brussels' Royal Palace on 12 October.

The group says the gathering is in response to "the scale of the current climate and ecological disaster".

"Together we'll occupy the gardens of the Royal Palace, inviting the king to declare a state of climate and ecological emergency in Belgium," the announcement says.

"This action is an act of deliberate civil disobedience which directly addresses the King and thereby condemns the inaction of the Belgian political authorities."

Organisers have called on people in Belgium to defy the ban on demonstrations in what is called the "neutral" zone around Brussels' federal political institutions.

"Throughout the occupation, 20 or so different talks will be held in parallel, each welcoming between 30 and 50 people," Extinction Rebellion said.

"Each talk will deal with a particular aspect of what should be done in Belgium to act against the ongoing climate and ecological disaster."

Extinction Rebellion, which was born in the UK, claims 2,000 members in Belgium since its launch in January. The group said other large-scale non-violent actions would follow.