Amsterdam "extra alert" on EuroPride security

The municipality of Amsterdam is working with the judiciary, police and National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security to make sure that sufficient security measures are in place for EuroPride 2016.

Starting on Saturday, tens of thousands of people, among which many who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, will be flocking to the Dutch capital for EuroPride - the European version of Amsterdam's Gay Pride festival.

"We are extra alert. Many visible and invisible measures were already taken after earlier attacks in Belgium and France", a spokesperson for Mayor Eberhard van der Laan said to AT5. "All major cities in Western Europe have to do with it, thus also Amsterdam. Gay Pride is an important event that is a symbol for freedom. Our aim is to let normal life continue as much as possible and not to live in fear."