Hundreds of protesters descended upon Brussels' Molenbeek neighborhood, despite a police lockdown, to demonstrate against the city’s Muslim population.
Molenbeek, known for its large Islamic population, was rocked by angry protests on Saturday as anti-Muslim demonstrators squared off against riot police. Water cannons and mounted police were called in to break up the demonstration.
During the protests a car broke through the police line protecting the neighborhood and rammed full speed into a pedestrian crossing the street.
The hit-and-run appeared by all accounts to be intentional, though no formal motivation for the crime has been suggested by police.
The victim was a Muslim woman in traditional Islamic garb.
First responders reported that the victim was wounded but conscious after the incident.
Police quickly surrounded the car involved in the hit-and-run, battering it with batons until the driver was removed and arrested.