What is and what is not allowed on Dam Square during the National Remembrance Day on May 4 has been further elaborated by the Public Prosecution Service: shirts with, for example, ‘Free Palestine’ on it are also not allowed. “It can cause unrest or panic, which is why it is not allowed,” said Mayor Femke Halsema in AT5’s Conversation with the Mayor.
Last week, Halsema, together with the police and the judiciary and the National Committee for 4 and 5 May, announced that they would take extra measures during the National Remembrance Day on Dam Square.
Halsema: “We have been preparing for more than a month, also together with the NCTV and the committee. You can feel in the city and the country that there is a lot of unrest. There is a great willingness to take action.”
For example, the number of visitors will be halved, access locks will be installed and people will be searched. Flags, signs and sound amplifying devices are also not allowed. But wearing a shirt with ‘Free Palestine’ on it is also prohibited.
“The reason why this is not allowed is because it can lead to disorder. Fifty people can plan to do that, but that can make other people very emotional. It can cause unrest or panic, so it is not allowed,” says Halsema.
She continues: “In consultation with the Public Prosecution Service, which is really in charge of this, we have agreed with each other what is and is not allowed: there is really little allowed on Dam Square.”
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The mayor once again emphasizes that the measures cannot prevent things from really going smoothly. “We say to everyone: we are taking many measures to ensure that if a disruption occurs, we can act very quickly. We strongly appeal to everyone not to do that. We cannot prevent it completely.”
Visitors are therefore searched. “For example, if people were planning to bring flags or megaphones, you can take that out. It also has a disciplining effect if people know that they are being searched. The meeting itself is so impressive that it is complicated to resist it. turn.”
And: “The only way to prevent shouting is an empty Dam. We and the committee do not want that. It is our public and national commemoration. It is very important that the public can be present.”
The municipality is aware of signals of possible disorder, but “we do not have very good, broadly organized information at the moment. We are picking up signals here and there – also through public sources,” Halsema explains. “I urge people to respect those two minutes a year.”
Demonstration
There is still one demonstration registered at this time. Left-wing activist Frank van der Linde wants to demonstrate against PVV member and chairman of the House of Representatives Martin Bosma. Van der Linde has submitted the demonstration to the municipality of Amsterdam. He is not allowed to stand on Dam Square, says Halsema.
During the conversation, Halsema said that an alternative location would be sought. This has now been found: a spokesperson for the mayor has announced that the demonstration may take place at the Torensluis near the Singel. The demonstrators must then be silent for 2 minutes at 8 p.m.
Watch the entire broadcast above, in which Halsema also discusses the protests announced during King’s Day.
