Demonstration in Amsterdam for civil rights and against the cabinet: ‘I walk along because there are several things going wrong’

From plant an olive tree to extinction rebellion and from the residential protest to various LGBTIAQ+organizations. Thousands of people demonstrated in Amsterdam against the current cabinet on Saturday, for civil rights and solidarity. At least 240 organizations joined the street. The demonstration therefore attracted a colorful group.

An hour before the demonstration, a dozen people gather at the gay monument in Amsterdam. They have largely been taught by the Amsterdam DJ and writer Joost van Bellen. « We walk along as a rainbow community, as a queer community, because our rights are under fire, » he says. “It is terribly deteriorating with acceptance. The Transgender Act is in the Lower House not even treated. Conversion therapy is still possible in the Netherlands. Imagine that you are forced to become homosexual as a heterosexual? ”

More and more people gather around him in the rain. Some have pridevlags with them and they are awarded protest signs with texts such as: ‘Hooray! I am different ‘,’ just being able to be yourself ‘and’ stop the witch hunt for transgender people ‘.

Negative travel advice

Van Bellen has a red hat on with the words’Make anti -fascism great again. ‘ « You tell Wilders that Trump Naplraat, » he continues. « That only biological men and women would exist. Trans people and non-binary people are being dehumanized. »

The DJ, who now also calls himself activist, is married to a man. « There is a negative travel advice for our community for the United States, which we always saw as an ally. And that suddenly falls away. It is increasingly difficult for us to travel worldwide anyway. » Van Bellen is worried and he is scared. « But not afraid enough not to walk anymore. I am combative. And certainly for my transgender friends and family. I stand behind them and next to them. And if I have to, I stand in front of them. »

Many people may wonder why queer organizations come together with a Mars for Palestine or Climate justice. But I think everything is connected to each other

The people who have joined the gay monument to the LGBTIAQ+organizations are slowly walking towards Dam Square. « Many people may wonder why queer organizations are coinciding with a march for Palestine or climate justice, » says Talisa Harjano. « But I think everything is connected. We all know a form of oppression. » She carries several flags: including the transvlag, the non-binary flag and the Palestinian flag. She has a keffiyeh around her neck. « I am here today to be together. To be solidarity with the Palestinian people, but also with my trans sisters and trans brothers and non-binary people. We can no longer be quiet. »

Allowance parent

The dam is now full of protesters. Senna Klap also walked there from the gay monument. « I walk along because there are different things that go wrong at the same time. As a trans person I am becoming increasingly afraid of how we are talking about in the public debate. And that can also be seen in the figures. »

Many Palestinian flags can be seen on Dam Square, people have written cries about love on a plate and try to stop umbrellas. Several speakers speak on stage, the diversity of the demonstration is also visible there. From a allowance parent to a Palestinian activist and the Moluccan Trans female Dinah Bons.

Lieke Weima is on the Dam on behalf of fossil -free NL. She points to a flag that has one of her fellow monstrists: Stop Trump Gas. « The Netherlands is currently one of the largest importers of gas from the United States and that is the gas with which President Trump now blackmails. It is extremely polluting for the people who live in the US where it is won and where it is shipped and processed. And our Dutch government is complicated with that. »

Weima addresses that so many organizations are involved in this demonstration. « I think it is very important, precisely in this time, that we form a broad movement, and that we also show solidarity among themselves. »

Ali Ouziri came to the demonstration because he wants to make his voice heard, mainly because of his Palestinian colleague and the Palestinian people. « My colleague came to the Netherlands six years ago and I got a lot through him. That touched me a lot. » The inclusive nature of this protest also appeals to him. « In the end we are one. And with me love for each other is number one. Regardless of your color or religion. Unity. And love. »

To share

Mail the editors