Registration for National Remembrance Day on Dam Square is required

NOS News•today, 10:01

Anyone who wants to attend the Remembrance Day commemoration on Dam Square in Amsterdam on May 4 must register in advance. The National Committee announced this on 4 and 5 May. Since this morning, people have been able to make a reservation for free via the memorialopdedam.nl website.

The measure is the result of the decision by the mayor of Amsterdam and the police to allow fewer people to the commemoration and wreath laying ceremony: 10,000 instead of about 20,000. This was decided because of the increased tension in society and a great willingness to take action, Mayor Halsema said this month.

With the reservation system, the municipality wants to prevent “vulnerable people” and people who come from far away from being unable to find a place on Dam Square. Upon arrival at Dam Square, visitors are searched, as was already known.

Last month, the opening of the National Holocaust Museum in the capital was disrupted by protests, during which, according to several witnesses, anti-Semitic slogans could also be heard. The demonstration was held because of the visit of Israeli President Herzog. His arrival was sensitive due to the war in Gaza.