Thousands of protesters at the demonstration in Utrecht
Despite the fact that the municipality of Utrecht has advised against the demonstration, thousands of people are still at a protest against cuts in higher education in Utrecht. From the UvA, at least the Activist Party and Asva are present.
Speeches are being held at Moreelsepark by, among others, trade union FNV. The latter said in a statement earlier to be angry because of the ‘wavering policy’ of Utrecht mayor Sharon Dijksma. She yesterday advised to cancel the demonstration for safety reasons, which the organisations initially accepted.
Nevertheless, student organisations in particular decided to head to Utrecht. According to student union Asva, the municipality of Utrecht would ‘facilitate’ the demonstration, but does not encourage people to come. Utrecht University also advised people not to take part in the demonstration.
On stage, a speaker from the FNV said it was ‘good’ that students had broken the mayor’s ‘factual ban’.
Protest march banned
Some Palestinian flags can be seen among the protesters. One of the speakers, Christian Henderson, is also present to speak on behalf of Dutch Scholars for Palestine, a network of academics in solidarity with the Palestinian struggle for freedom and independence. He talks about the government, which is cutting back on education but investing in weapons for the war in Gaza. ‘Free free Palestine’ is chanted during his speech.
The protest march that followed the speeches was officially banned by the police, a spokesman for the organising coalition informed the crowd. But the police has pledged not to actively thwart the march.
Actions are also currently under way at several universities. At the UvA, a livestream is being organised, with some three hundred people in attendance. The livestream has a connection to The Hague, where the other organisers of the protest, including WOinAction, decided to go to hold an alternative action against the cuts. UvA administrators Edith Hooge and Jan Lintsen are also present at the livestream. A walk-out and a noise demonstration are planned later in the afternoon.
Meanwhile, WOinaction on X has announced that actions will take place again on 25 November, but this time on Malieveld in The Hague.
If necessary, this post will be updated.
