George Floyd protests in the Netherlands

Shortly after protests seeking justice for the murder of George Floyd, an African-American who was killed during a police arrest, began in the United States, people in the Netherlands protested to show solidarity with Americans and to demonstrate against issues with police or racism. Vigils and protests of up to thousands of participants took place nationwide.

George Floyd protests in the Netherlands
Part of George Floyd protests
People protesting at Dam Square in Amsterdam
Date1 June 2020 – 12 July 2020 (1 month, 1 week and 4 days)
Location
The Netherlands
Caused by
Map
Cities in the Netherlands in which a protest with about 100 or more participants was held ()

Reactions

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Political

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On 4 June, during a press conference about whether the Dutch could go on foreign holiday that year, Prime Minister Mark Rutte called the murder of George Floyd "unacceptable". Rutte also commented on the recent George Floyd protests in the Netherlands, saying that racism is not only an American and that racism in the Netherlands is a "systemic problem".[1] He also said to have changed his mind about Zwarte Piet.[2]

On 25 June, Mark Rutte, together with Deputy Prime Minister Kajsa Ollongren and Minister of Justice and Security Ferdinand Grapperhaus, invited several protesters at the Catshuis to discuss racism in the Netherlands and the recent demonstrations. This sparked some criticism, because lead figures of the Dutch antiracist movement, including organisers and spokespeople of organisations such as Black Lives Matter and Kick Out Zwarte Piet, were not invited.[3] However, Rutte stated that a follow-up conversation with spokespersons and leaders of the movement would be organised in the future.[4] This happened on 2 September, when representatives of Black Lives Matter and Kick Out Zwarte Piet were invited after all. They talked about how combat racism in different areas and how to address to issue of racism in the Netherlands. Minister of Social Affairs and Employment Wouter Koolmees joined the conversation as well.[5][6] After the conversation, Rutte said he wants to "take practical steps towards zero racism", especially in the areas of health care, housing, education and employment. Rutte also said he wants to talk to more organisations together with the members of his cabinet at the end of the month about sectors where discrimination still causes problems.[7][8] However, there was no third meeting.

After the two meetings at the Catshuis, Ollongren met with Black Lives Matter activists in Amsterdam-Zuidoost on 9 September to discuss the economic inequality in that area.[9]

Public

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A representative research by Hart van Nederland in early June, in which 3,066 people took, part suggests that 49% of the Dutch population supports the Black Lives Matter movement, opposed to 46% who don't support the movement.[10] A survey in mid-June among 7,053 people by LINDA, consisting mostly of women (93%), suggested that 75.8% of the Dutch supported the protests that took place, opposed to 24.2% who did not.[11]

Several Dutch celebrities showed their support for the protests and the Black Lives Matter movement, including Glennis Grace, Doutzen Kroes, Georgina Verbaan, Glen Faria (nl), Halina Reijn, Anna Nooshin (nl), Memphis Depay, Hadewych Minis, Pepijn Lanen (nl), Famke Louise, Meral Polat (nl), Nikkie de Jager, Nicolette van Dam, Jandino Asporaat and Patty Brard.[12][13][14]

Timeline

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1 June

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Protest in Amsterdam on 1 June
  • Amsterdam: Over 5,000 people protested against police brutality in the United States and Europe.[15][16] Attendance was far higher than expected,[17] and some even speculated that up to 10,000 people attended the protest.[18]
  • Breda: Dozens of people protested in the city of Breda.[19]
  • Maastricht: Hundreds of people attended a Black Lives Matter demonstration in Maastricht.[20][21]

2 June

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  • Groningen: Between 800 and 1,500 people protested against police brutality in the United States and Europe.[22]
  • The Hague: Around 1,500 people gathered on the Malieveld to protest against police brutality in the United States and Europe.[22]

3 June

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  • Rotterdam: Thousands of people gathered in Rotterdam to protest racism and police brutality.[23]

4 June

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  • Arnhem: About a thousand people showed up on the Grote Markt in Arnhem.[24]

5 June

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  • Enschede: 500 people protested in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter Movement in Enschede.[25]
  • Nijmegen: A protest was held in Goffertpark in Nijmegen in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. According to the local authorities, 850 people were present, while the organisation claims there were 2,500 people. An air photo of the protest shows over 1,000 people.[25]
  • Utrecht: About 3,500 people protested in Utrecht in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.[25]
  • Weert: About 20 people demonstrated against racism in Weert.[26]

6 June

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  • Eindhoven: 1,700 people gathered at the Stadhuisplein in Eindhoven. They all held a moment of silence for the victims of police brutality before protesting.[27]
  • Tilburg: A thousand people protested in Tilburg against racism and police brutality.[28]

7 June

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  • Maastricht: 1,400 people protested peacefully for the second time in Maastricht, this time in Griendpark.[29]
  • Zwolle: At least a thousand people protested in Zwolle at the Wezenlanden park.[29]

8 June

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  • Bergen op Zoom: Two anonymous people started protesting on the Grote Markt in Bergen op Zoom every Friday, starting on June 8.[30][31]
  • Middelburg: 800 people in Middelburg held a sit-in while hundreds of other protesters demonstrated elsewhere in the city. 500 people 'attended' the protest online.[32]

10 June

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Protest in Amsterdam on 10 June
  • Amsterdam: 11,500 of protesters gathered again in Amsterdam, this time at the Nelson Mandelapark.[33][34]

11 June

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  • Dronten: Over 100 people demonstrated in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement at the Meerpaalplein in Dronten.[35]

12 June

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  • Amsterdam: An "estafette-demonstratie" (relay demonstration) began in Amsterdam. Every day from 9am to 5pm a single picket demonstration takes place, with a new protester every hour. The protest was supported online with the hashtag "#zolanghetnodigis" (#aslongasittakes).[36][37]
  • Lelystad: About 250 people protested at a Black Lives Matter demonstration at the Agorahof in Lelystad.[38]

13 June

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  • 's-Hertogenbosch: About 1,000 protested at a Black Lives Matter protest in Den Bosch.[39]
  • Breda: 1,500 people attended a Black Lives Matter protest in Breda.[40]
  • Leeuwarden: Between 2,000 and 2,500 people attended a Black Lives Matter protest in Leeuwarden.[41][42]

14 June

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  • Alkmaar: Between 750 and 1,000 people protested in Alkmaar.[43]
  • Almere: Between 2,600 and 3,000 people protested in Almere.[44][45]
  • Deventer: About 1,100 people protested in Deventer.[46]
  • Leiden: More than 2,500 people protested in Leiden.[47]
  • Wageningen: 1,026 people went to a Black Lives Matter demonstration at Park Noordwest in Wageningen.[48]

15 June

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17 June

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19 June

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  • Hoorn: Approximately 250 protesters demonstrated against the statue of Jan Pieterszoon Coen.[52][53] This eventually emerged in riots, where at least five people were arrested.[54]
  • Nijmegen: Another "estafette-demonstratie" started taking place in Nijmegen, in a similar fashion as the demonstration that started in Amsterdam on 12 June.[55]
  • Zutphen: 285 people demonstrated in Zutphen against racism.[56][57][58]

20 June

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  • The Hague: A few hundred people protested on the Malieveld against a new law giving police more authorisation for the use of violence.[59]
  • Heerlen: About 60 people protested in Heerlen.[60][61]

21 June

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  • Emmen: Approximately 200 people protested against racism in Emmen.[62]

25 June

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  • Diemen: Several primary school pupils and some adults held a small protest in Diemen.[63]

27 June

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  • Heerlen: Over 200 people protested against racism in Heerlen.[64]

11 July

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  • Ede: Over 100 people demonstrated against racism in Ede.[65][66]

12 July

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References

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  1. ^ Lalor, Ailish (4 June 2020). "Rutte: death of George Floyd "unacceptable", discrimination a "systemic problem" in the Netherlands". Dutch Review. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  2. ^ "Rutte: ik ben anders gaan denken over Zwarte Piet" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Omroep Stichting. 5 June 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  3. ^ "Black Lives Matter-betogers spreken Rutte, hoofdrolspelers ontbreken" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Omroep Stichting. 24 June 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  4. ^ van Ast, Maarten; den Hartog, Tobias (24 June 2020). "Rutte nodigt Black Lives Matter en Kick Out Zwarte Piet toch wel uit". Het Parool (in Dutch). Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  5. ^ "Rutte praat vandaag met Black Lives Matter en Kick Out Zwarte Piet". Hartvannederland (in Dutch). 2 September 2020. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  6. ^ "Minister-president Rutte en minister Koolmees in gesprek met Black Lives Matter Nederland". Rijksoverheid (in Dutch). 1 September 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  7. ^ "Rutte wil 'praktische stappen zetten naar nul racisme'". Het Parool (in Dutch). 2 September 2020. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  8. ^ Roetman, Bas (2 September 2020). "Rutte wil naar een 'land met nul racisme' na gesprek met Black Lives Matter en Kick Out Zwarte Piet". Trouw (in Dutch). Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  9. ^ Meershoek, Patrick (9 September 2020). "Minister in gesprek met BLM-activisten langs de kloof tussen arm en rijk in Zuidoost". Het Parool (in Dutch). Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  10. ^ "Meeste Nederlanders steunen 'Black Lives Matter'-demonstranten". Hartvannederland (in Dutch). 8 June 2020. Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  11. ^ Daub, Madelijne (17 June 2020). "Meer dan helft van de mensen maakt zich onbewust schuldig aan racisme". LINDA. (in Dutch). Retrieved 20 June 2020.
  12. ^ "Black Lives Matter: deze BN'ers protesteerden gister op de Dam". AndC (in Dutch). 2 June 2020. Archived from the original on 21 April 2021. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  13. ^ Riemersma, Greta (28 August 2020). "'Ik wil een universeel verhaal vertellen: wat maakt ons tot wie we zijn?'". de Volkskrant (in Dutch). Retrieved 21 April 2021.
  14. ^ "BN'ers massaal 'op zwart' op Instagram: dit is waarom!". Televizier (in Dutch). 2 June 2020. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
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  16. ^ "Verbod op de Dam geldt alleen voor 'risicovolle demonstraties'". NU.nl (in Dutch). 8 June 2020. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  17. ^ Naomi Kok Luis (2022). "It's Not All Black and White: Ethnic Self- Categorization of Multiethnic Dutch Millennials". In Supheert, Roselinde; Cascio, Gandolfo; ten Thije, Jan (eds.). The Riches of Intercultural Communication - Volume 1: Interactive, Contrastive, and Cultural Representational Approaches. Brill Publishers. p. 69. ISBN 978-90-04-52284-8. On the first of June 2020 thousands of people, far more than expected, gathered on Dam Square in Amsterdam for the first massive Black Lives Matter protest in the Netherlands.
  18. ^ Muller, Mike (3 June 2020). "Woordvoerder Halsema: mogelijk waren er 10.000 mensen op de Dam". De Telegraaf (in Dutch). Retrieved 8 June 2020.
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  21. ^ Verborg, Rosalia (6 June 2020). "Opnieuw demonstratie tegen racisme in Maastricht". 1Limburg (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 6 June 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
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  24. ^ "Schatting van Marcouch: 'Ruim duizend betogers in Arnhem bij protest tegen racisme'". De Gelderlander (in Dutch). 4 June 2020. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  25. ^ a b c "Regenachtige Black Lives Matter-demonstraties in drie steden" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Omroep Stichting. 5 June 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
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  27. ^ Hoekstra, Diede; Luiten, Erik (6 June 2020). "1700 demonstranten tegen racisme bij vol Stadhuisplein in Eindhoven: 'Ik werd gezien als een gevaar'". Eindhovens Dagblad (in Dutch). Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  28. ^ "Antiracismeprotest Tilburg rustig verlopen, goed afstand gehouden". NU.nl (in Dutch). 6 June 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  29. ^ a b Sondermeijer, Vincent (7 June 2020). "Honderden betogers bij racismedemonstraties in Maastricht en Zwolle". NRC Handelsblad (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 7 June 2020. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  30. ^ Peeters, Erik (8 June 2020). "Lunchtijd is protesttijd tegen racisme voor twee 'anonieme' actievoerders in Bergen op Zoom" (in Dutch). Omroep Brabant. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  31. ^ Hagenaars, Coen; Froeling, Nicole; Aanen, Floyd (13 July 2020). "Waarom demonstraties Black Lives Matter een groot deel van West-Brabant nooit hebben bereikt". BN DeStem (in Dutch). Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  32. ^ "Duizend mensen bij Black Lives Matter-demonstratie in Middelburg". Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch). 8 June 2020. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
  33. ^ "Duizenden mensen demonstreren tegen racisme in Amsterdam" (in Dutch). RTL Nieuws. 10 June 2020. Archived from the original on 10 June 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  34. ^ "Ruim 11.000 demonstreren in Bijlmer tegen racisme: 'Volgend jaar hier weer'" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Omroep Stichting. 10 June 2020. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  35. ^ "Initiatiefneemster demonstratie: "Het is nu tijd om anti-racist te zijn"" (in Dutch). Omroep Flevoland. 11 June 2020. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  36. ^ "Na massaal protest nu eenzame demonstrant op Dam: 'Zolang het nodig is'" (in Dutch). RTL Nieuws. 18 June 2020. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  37. ^ "Official #zolanghetnodigis website". Zolang Het Nodig Is. Archived from the original on 19 June 2020. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  38. ^ "Veel demonstranten bij Black Lives Matter-protest op Agorahof" (in Dutch). Omroep Flevoland. 12 June 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  39. ^ van Houtum, Miranda; van der Lee, René (13 June 2020). "Luid en emotioneel protest tegen racisme in Den Bosch: 'Laten we vandaag definitief afrekenen met discriminatie'". Brabants Dagblad (in Dutch). Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  40. ^ Schraven, Martijn; Cleven, Ties (13 June 2020). "1500 demonstranten in Breda zijn klaar met racisme, manifestatie netjes verlopen". Brabants Dagblad (in Dutch). Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  41. ^ "Ruim 2000 demonstranten bij Black Lives Matter-protest: gemeente roept op niet meer te komen". Leeuwarder Courant (in Dutch). 13 June 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  42. ^ "2500 man bij protest Black Lives Matter in Leeuwarden". De Telegraaf (in Dutch). 13 June 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2020.
  43. ^ "Alkmaarse antiracismedemo trekt honderden mensen: "Klaar met decennialange gevecht"" (in Dutch). NH. 14 June 2020. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  44. ^ "Antiracismeprotest in Almere trekt zo'n 2600 betogers". Ditjes & Datjes (in Dutch). 14 June 2020. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
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  46. ^ Rondhuis, Angelique; de Groot, Eliza (14 June 2020). "Nana scandeert samen met 1100 demonstranten 'Genoeg is Genoeg' tijdens Deventer Black Lives Matter". De Stentor (in Dutch). Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  47. ^ "Ruim 2500 mensen bij Black Lives Matter demonstratie in Leiden" (in Dutch). Omroep West. 14 June 2020. Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  48. ^ Winkel, Arnold (14 June 2020). "Demonstratie Black Lives Matter in Wageningen met 1026 bezoekers rustig verlopen". De Gelderlander (in Dutch). Retrieved 14 June 2020.
  49. ^ van Zoeren, Walter; Broersma, Mark; Rutgers, Johannes (15 June 2020). "Black Lives Matter-protest in Apeldoorn verloopt rustig". De Stentor (in Dutch). Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  50. ^ a b "Grote opkomst bij antiracismeprotest Haarlem, gemoedelijke sfeer in Purmerend" (in Dutch). NH. 17 June 2020. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  51. ^ Teillers, Frederique (17 June 2020). "Het antiracismeprotest in Purmerend: 'Aandacht geven aan het racismedebat hier'". Noordhollands Dagblad (in Dutch). Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  52. ^ "Rellen door tegendemonstranten standbeeld JP Coen: "Er wordt met bakstenen gegooid"" (in Dutch). NH. 19 June 2020. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  53. ^ "Voor- en tegenstanders demonstreren over omstreden standbeeld JP Coen" (in Dutch). NH. 19 June 2020. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  54. ^ "Onrustig einde demonstraties Hoorn, plein met standbeeld J.P. Coen ontruimd". NU.nl (in Dutch). 19 June 2020. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  55. ^ Nijtmans, Anne (19 June 2020). "Doorlopend eenpersoons protest in Nijmegen moet aandacht voor racisme levend houden". De Gelderlander (in Dutch). Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  56. ^ "Ruim tweehonderd deelnemers anti-racismeprotest Zutphen" (in Dutch). Omroep Gelderland. 19 June 2020. Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  57. ^ Sprikkelman, Jesse (19 June 2020). "BLM-protest in Zutphen: 'In de supermarkt houden ze me altijd in de gaten'". Lokaal Gelderland (in Dutch). Retrieved 19 June 2020.
  58. ^ Zurhake, Sander (19 June 2020). "Honderden mensen, jong en oud, betuigen steun bij Black Lives Matter in Zutphen". De Stentor (in Dutch). Retrieved 20 June 2020.
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  60. ^ Rietjens, Jochem (20 June 2020). "Boom geplant bij kleine demonstratie in Heerlen". 1Limburg (in Dutch). Retrieved 21 June 2020.
  61. ^ "Minder demonstranten Black Lives Matter dan verwacht op Malieveld". Trouw (in Dutch). 20 June 2020. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
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  63. ^ "Kinderen houden eigen protest tegen racisme". Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch). 25 June 2020. Retrieved 26 June 2020.
  64. ^ Benneker, Frank (27 June 2020). "Black Lives Matter Parkstad is er klaar mee en laat racisme niet meer gaan". www.limburger.nl (in Dutch). De Limburger. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
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