There was increased security in the area, and traffic disruptions
Hundreds of protesters, supporters of a far-right party, clashed with police and shoved several lawmakers during a demonstration outside the Romanian parliament on Wednesday.
Police opened a criminal investigation after a member of the nationalist Alliance for the Union of Romanians (AUR) tried to enter the Parliament building with ammunition.
Officials deployed security personnel to monitor and manage the gathering earlier Wednesday. There were road closures and other delays.
The protest was based on a conspiracy spread on social media and in media debates on a bill that actually aims to prevent the separation of children from their families, Digi24.ro reported.
The AUR party called people to the protest saying the ruling Social Democrats and Liberals “want to take our children away from us. This will be voted on today. We defend Romania’s children!.”
„If you are poor you no longer have the right to raise your children,” the message claimed.
Members of the ruling coalition condemned “manipulation and conspiracy theories used by AUR …. to spread panic.”
The draft bill which provides for the prevention of the separation of the child from the family was initiated by the youth and family ministry and minister Gabriela Firea. It was adopted by the Senate on Wednesday and was being debated in the Chamber of Deputies.
„This project is exactly what it says it is– to prevent children being separated from their families. The state, through town halls, will help families keep their children at home by helping out with housing, food, access to education, access to health. … I am sorry that other interpretations have been made,” Firea said.
The bill targets children from vulnerable families who are struggling financially.
The government plans to build 150 day care centers where children who are at risk can eat, do homework and benefit from other aid, such as clothing packages.
