During the Spanish Civil War (1936 – 1939), many volunteers from different countries joined the International Brigades to fight on the side of the Republicans. They did this against the nationalist troops of Spanish general Francisco Franco.
These volunteers, also from the Netherlands, chose not only to demonstrate against Franco in their own country, but to actually take up arms and fight in Spain.
In light of this, today’s protesters against any regime inspired by the International Brigades at the time should consider joining similar international units. And thus actively participate in the fight against oppression and injustice.
Piet Post, Arnhem
Protest
I protest against the use of helicopters at night to break up demonstrations. I couldn’t sleep a wink because of that noise. And I don’t live next to Roeterseiland. I won’t be the only one. Think of something else, police.
Vera de NijsAmsterdam
Asylum deals
Europe seems desperate. In 2016 the EU-Turkey deal. And now, in 2024, after Tunisia, Mauritania, also an asylum deal with Egypt. The only real goal is to prevent migration to Europe.
What Europe itself does not wish to do, violate human rights, because it supposedly wants to adhere to human rights, Europe allows other countries to do. Because Europe knows very well that the countries in question violate and will continue to violate the rights of asylum seekers and migrants. That is firstly hypocritical and secondly scandalous, because Europe also pays for it.
René BrownAmsterdam
May holiday
Nice piece by Wibo Koole about the meager 4,000 attendees at Remembrance Day on Dam Square. In addition to despondency, this was also due to cowardice: quickly booking the perfect VIP seat, but staying away because you-know-never and especially the rain.
Many local commemorations were also less well attended. A different kind of despondency has been going on there for years: the Holy May holiday. This results in a serious lack of volunteers. Who will take care of the local commemoration and liberation day in 10 years’ time?
The new Minister of Education should bravely shake up, shift, forward or backward the canonized May holiday. The world is groaning under wars and yearning for dictatorship. No more time for vacation. Working for our only democratic ritual, May 4 and 5.
Pim LigtvoetAmsterdam
Young people
In her column of May 7, Aleid Truijens flawlessly describes the paradox between the ‘dark’ 1970s and the ‘everything possible’ current time. It is extremely striking how she contrasts the ‘impossibilities’ of the past with the ‘unlimited possibilities for fun and success’ these days, which can cause problems for young people of today. Her compassion for this age group is as loving as it is urgent.
Nico FlorisZwolle
Youth (2)
Aleid Truijens wonders whether it is possible to organize more togetherness for lonely young people.
I have great news, that possibility is there and already exists. Go play a musical instrument! Then find a band or an orchestra and you will see that your life will never be lonely again.
Jiri RuttenAlmelo
Cherry trees
Cherry growers are allowed to use unauthorized pesticides ‘once’ for the ninth time. ‘To preserve the Dutch cherry for our food production and our culture’, is the argument of the right-wing majority in the House of Representatives. Of course: without Dutch cherries there is a threat of famine or at least poverty of choice and our culture should not suffer another dent after the loss of Zwarte Piet.
As a result of poor compliance with the strict usage regulations by many growers, the products, which are harmful to bees and bumblebees, end up in the surface water. A Dutch study is still underway to determine whether, in addition to farmers and seasonal workers, local residents also have a greater risk of Parkinson’s due to the use of pesticides.
We are hopelessly lost with our House of Representatives and whoever is pushing the buttons, I fear: it is only about our own interests and the short term; not about the community, not about the future.
Ingrid van AltenBerghem
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Tags: International Brigades inspire modernday demonstrators
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