Counter actions planned against noise protest at WWII commemoration: report

The Amsterdam municipality and police are taking into account that there may be counter-actions to a noise protest during the National Commemoration of World War II victims on Dam Square on Friday. Both members of the Moluccan community and veterans are furious that action group Geen 4 mei voor mij is planning to disrupt the commemoration, according to the Telegraaf.

Members of the Moluccan community are angry because the protest will disrupt the commemoration of their grandfathers, according to the newspaper. A group from AFC Maluku - a hard core part of Ajax that consists mainly of Moluccans - is planning to be present on Dam Square during the commemoration, so they can intervene before the protest starts.

Veterans are furious about the possibility that order may be disrupted, the Telegraaf writes.

The police and municipality could not tell the Telegraaf whether any such actions will actually happen. But they are keeping an eye on social media platforms, to prevent escalations.

Geen 4 mei voor mij is planning a noise protest during the minute of silence of the commemoration on Remembrance Day. According to them, the Netherlands only commemorates the white victims of World War II, and ignores the millions of people who were killed during the decolonization war in the Dutch East Indies. Interim Amsterdam mayor Jozias van Aartsen banned the protest during the minute of silence. The activists are fighting this decision in court. The court will rule on Thursday afternoon.

Van Aartsen called the planned protest unacceptable, disrespectful and punishable. Minister Ferdinand Grapperhaus of Justice and Security called it "completely wrong".