Amsterdam municipality official arrested during climate action surrounding the swearing-in of mayor Castricum

Winnips had sprayed the text ‘Be honest’ on various windows of the council chamber with a spray can around the swearing-in of Ben Tap (D66). According to a police spokesperson, the activist from Castricum has been arrested for vandalism. XR had announced action regarding the installation of Tap.

The XR department in Castricum submitted a citizens’ initiative to the municipal council two years ago, requesting that a climate emergency be declared. A majority of the council then voted against. XR recently called on Tap in an open letter to speak out and to indicate that there is a crisis situation.

The activists wanted to hold ‘a peaceful demonstration’ in the council chamber in Castricum on Thursday, but were not allowed to enter the town hall with banners. The municipality of Castricum designated a demonstration site outside.

Cops at the windows

About ten members of XR held up banners in their windows with the texts ‘Be honest’ and ‘Declare a climate emergency’. These were clearly visible in the room. When the extraordinary council meeting had been going on for about 45 minutes, the demonstrators had to move back a few meters and officers stood in front of the windows. Moments earlier, Winnips had sprayed his text on the glass with chalk paint spray. The spray can was confiscated.

Winnips – who works as an administrative affairs advisor at the municipality of Amsterdam – was also arrested at the beginning of last year for incitement. He had called on people on social media to participate in a climate demonstration on the A12. The XR activist was then given an area ban, but still went to the demonstration on the Utrechtsebaan in The Hague. He was arrested there.

Satirical stickers

Earlier this week, another official from the municipality of Amsterdam came under controversy. Tofik Dibi (GroenLinks) shared fake political stickers in the house styles of VVD, CDA and BBB on X.

The stickers criticize the parties for their position regarding the war in Gaza. For example, the ‘satirical’ sticker in VVD style reads: ‘Squatting is theft. Except in Palestine.’ On a CDA sticker: ‘Standards. Values. Children Bomb.’ VVD, CDA and JA21 believed that the official harmed the city government with his actions. Councilor Hester van Buren called the action ‘unwise’.