‘Happy New Year!’ Ten thousand people on their feet at a demonstration against corona measures
Things go wrong after one in the afternoon. Rather meekly, the ‘coffee drinkers’ complied with the order to leave the Museumplein in the direction of Van Baerlestraat. But there they encounter a police line. What now? It is clear where the demonstrators want to go: to the Westerpark, where Forum for Democracy kicks off the campaign for the municipal elections.
In the tumult that ensues, the police make the baton. A man is badly beaten by a police dog. Soon the crowd gets through. While that was previously banned, a long procession is moving through the city.
When a church bell tolls earlier in the day, the Museumplein is already quite full. Police and riot vans are on all sides. Two water cannons are also on standby. Light signs indicate that the square is intended as a risk area and that a preventive search can therefore be carried out.
‘As healthy as I am’
That search is done on a large scale. Many people who want to enter the square are checked, including by members of the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee. It is very friendly, with jokes being made back and forth. The meeting on Museumplein initially resembles a New Year’s reception; many attendees know from previous demonstrations.
On signs they carry texts like ‘Happy new year‘and’Happy 1984‘. But princes flags (the Dutch flag with orange on top, as used by the NSB) are also waved again and a man has a Star of David on his cap.
80-year-old Gerard Nederpel is a veteran among the corona demonstrators. He was there every time there was a protest against the measures in the Netherlands. He does not deny the existence of corona. “It can be really bad for me, but I rely on my immune system.”
He hands over a card with the address of his own website. “There you can read how you can become as healthy as I am.” Continuing to talk with Nederpel is difficult. Constantly people want to shake his hand or cuddle with him. He is a real celebrity in these circles.
Plate taken away
On the way from Museumplein to Westerpark, the procession, which is blocking traffic, does not attract much attention. Some Amsterdammers let it be known from the open window that they stand behind the demonstrators, others look on with pity.
A woman holds up a sign on the sidewalk that reads ‘You are being hijacked by popular nationalists. Know who you’re chasing’. The lady, who prefers not to have her name in the newspaper, says that her protest against Forum for Democracy provokes fierce discussions. “But that’s allowed, that’s why I’m here. There was one man who took my plate.”
At the Westerpark you have to reach the bridge over the Haarlemmertrekvaart. The Haarlemmerweg has been closed off for the demonstrators by farmers with three tractors. The demonstrations on the Museumplein are welcomed with cheers by the supporters of Forum for Democracy.
It can also be seen on the podium currently held by Forum for Democracy that two demonstrations have taken place: candidate councilors alternate with speakers such as Willem Engel and Michel Reijinga, the leader of the Netherlands in the Resistance. Anton van Schijndel, FvD councilor in Amsterdam, says that a medical experiment is being forced on the Dutch.
The thousands of protesters on the field like the freedom of speech ‘is going down’: “People are being silenced.” Van Schijndel closes the speech with the misconception that everyone should mainly vote for VVD (his previous party).
Contradiction
Thierry Baudet does not show up in the Westerpark. Member of Parliament Gideon van Meijeren does speak. He states that it is ‘going to end badly’ for those responsible for the corona measures: “We are going to bring them to court, you can count on that.”
The only rebuttal comes from a statue of antifas, which have positioned themselves safely at the end of the field, behind water and protected by police. “Not then, not now, never again fascism!” it sounds in unison. Furious Forum supporters respond with: “Communists! Child molesters!”
Just like earlier in the day at the Museumplein, the Westerpark must be empty from 3.30 pm at the request of the police. Michel Reijinga calls on everyone to return to the Museumplein. “I came for coffee, I’m going for coffee.” Some of the demonstrators do indeed return to Museumplein, but it is no longer as busy as earlier in the day.
According to the municipality of Amsterdam, 10,000 people took part in the demonstration. The police report that thirty cases have been registered and that four have been injured. About 200 people have been denied access to the city on the basis of the emergency order. Among them were members of various Defend groups.