AMSTERDAM: Greater than a thousand individuals gathered in Amsterdam on Friday (Nov 24) in support of groups facing discrimination in the Netherlands, after major gains for a far-right political party this week.
In Amsterdam’s central Dam Sq. individuals lit candles or held up cellphone lights in a largely silent protest, two days after the overall election wherein the Freedom Occasion (PVV) of anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders received probably the most seats.
Wilders, who’s now making an attempt to construct a governing coalition, has vowed to shut Dutch borders to immigrants and reduce spending on local weather change, cultural and international improvement programmes.
Organisers of the “Collectively for Solidarity” protest included Amnesty Worldwide, Greenpeace, teams supporting homosexual rights, the humanities, peace and refugees, in addition to anti-racism activists and left-leaning political events.
They mentioned they wished to point out that they might proceed to defend the rule of regulation and a rustic that’s ‘for everybody.’
“I really feel unhappy concerning the election outcomes … And I am actually fearful about our nation,” mentioned Sara Coster.
“I used to be most pleased with the Netherlands as a result of we welcome individuals and everyone will be who you’re and I am actually flabbergasted and shocked and offended,” the 58-year-old added.
One other demonstrator, Jan Jaap van Oosterzee, 62, mentioned he felt Wilders’ win was “towards all the pieces we’re standing for, and that I am personally standing for”.
Wilders’ get together “stands for exclusion of my colleagues, of my kids, of denying local weather change”, he mentioned.
“Actually all the pieces that is pricey to us and that we discover essential is at stake right here,” Oosterzee added
Muslim teams are planning an indication in Amsterdam on Dec 2 to protest towards “populism and sowing hate”. Muslims, who make up round 5 per cent of the Dutch inhabitants of virtually 18 million individuals, have expressed shock on the election outcome.