Demonstrate? ‘You don’t do that during a commemoration’

Henri Krijnen (45) and Suzanne van Beest (41) are standing among the many police officers, eating their pizza salami and pizza margherita. They use one of the roadblocks as a table – which should prevent vehicles from driving into crowds. The couple from Druten (Gelderland) will soon go to the Remembrance Day on Dam Square in Amsterdam. But first it has to go through the entrance gates here on the Rokin. Everyone is thoroughly searched there – an extra security measure due to the increased risk of an unannounced pro-Palestinian protest. Flags, protest signs and sound amplifying equipment are prohibited.

Henri Krijnen finds frisking “annoying”, but “it is purely for safety, of course”. He doesn’t understand why anyone would demonstrate on Dam Square now. “You don’t do that during a commemoration.”

Krijnen and Van Beest think the annual two minutes of silence is very important and they wanted to experience the commemoration in Amsterdam. Who do they immediately think of during the silence? Krijnen: “I also think about the war in Ukraine and how it is…” “Henri, just keep eating,” says Van Beest – she finds it quite exciting that she will soon be searched. He quickly takes a bite of his pizza. Are they also thinking about Israel-Gaza? “Um, yes!” they say in unison. And then to the Israelis or to the Gazans? “Um, both!” But they believe that Mayor Femke Halsema should keep the focus on the Second World War in her speech.

Some unrest from tourists

Ten thousand people are expected on Dam Square in advance, half as many as last year – also a safety measure. Visitors at the entrance on the Rokin can walk through fairly quickly. Occasionally the officers searching them confiscate an umbrella. This is not allowed, although a downpour is forecast around eight o’clock.

The only bit of unrest comes from many tourists who do not understand why everything has been cordoned off and how to get to the station. Most end up with the officer who has been given the task of showing them the way. He continues to smile broadly, even though he has said “Memorial day” and “To the ally, straight ahead, to the left” said. Doesn’t that drive him crazy? “It will be time to go home.”

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The Amsterdam couple Pim Blom (29) and Jens Kuitert (28) also pass through the gates to Dam Square. “I saw on the mayor’s Instagram that there were still tickets available and then I thought: it seems very special to be here,” says Kuitert.

They had some doubts. “I thought there was also an increased risk of a terrorist attack, but fortunately that increased risk only applies to demonstrations,” says Blom. He understands if people would demonstrate before the two minutes of silence, but he would find a shout during the silence “objectionable”.

In any case, they will soon think of the gay men who were persecuted during the Second World War. They would appreciate it if Halsema would also mention other wars in her speech, such as in Gaza, Sudan and Ukraine. But she should not elaborate on just Gaza. According to Blom, this sparks a “discussion for which today is not the time.”

Although the forecast rain is not too bad, it is estimated that there are only 4,300 people on Dam Square. The audience consists mainly of people in their twenties, thirties, forties and fifties, often in groups of two. There is a single child. The atmosphere is relaxed, especially given the tension in the public debate surrounding the commemoration, after additional safety measures were announced.

Soft tapping

At eight o’clock the only sound comes from the soft tapping of raindrops on ponchos and hoods. It is silent for two minutes. Perhaps the rain also dampened “the great willingness to take action” that Mayor Halsema noticed in the city.

Halsema does not speak about the war in Gaza on Dam Square. But with a little good or bad will, you can hear delicate references to the tensions in the Netherlands surrounding this conflict. “Sometimes disagreement is so loud that it drowns out our compassion.”

And there is, very subtly, understanding for both the trauma of the Jewish population who fear the increase in anti-Semitism, and for those who sympathize terribly with the Palestinians. “Old fears can just flare up […] when there is swearing or aggression in our streets. When images of horrific war violence enter our living rooms, our hearts.”

She also calls for protecting “our open society, by standing up against anti-Semitism, against all forms of hatred and discrimination,” but mainly advocates empathy with all those who still suffer the consequences of war every day. “Let us pay attention to everyone who mourns for all the children who could not save the world.”

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The only protest noticeable on Dam Square takes place when Chamber President Martin Bosma (PVV) subsequently lays a wreath. Then six attendees demonstratively turn their backs to the monument. Three officers stand next to it but do not intervene.

According to the police, at the beginning of the two minutes of silence, a man was led away and arrested because he took out a banner. The man is said to be part of a group of demonstrators who wanted to draw attention to the political situation in Uganda.

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