Skip to main content
Home

Main navigation

  • Top stories
  • Health
  • Crime
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Weird
  • 1-1-2
Image
Amsterdam bollard
Amsterdam bollard - Credit: J2R / Depositphotos - License: DepositPhotos
Crime
Politics
threats
intimidation
amsterdam council
AT5
verbal abuse
Saturday, 17 April 2021 - 10:45
Share this:
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
  • reddit

Third of Amsterdam councilors regularly threatened or intimidated

Chopped off heads in the mailbox, threatening messages via Twitter, stalkers on the telephone, or a hate mail on the doormat. More than 75 percent of Amsterdam councilors have to deal with threats or other forms of intimidation.

A third of the politicians surveyed even said they sometimes feel unsafe because of the council work. This has emerged from research by the Amsterdam broadcaster AT5. The channel asked the 45 Amsterdam councilors for a response, 31 of them responded. Due to the sensitivity of the topic, councilors were able to participate anonymously.

Threats, intimidation, and verbal abuse via social media and the mail are the most common. But it also turns out that a group meeting has been invaded and occupied. Counselors are sometimes intimidated by lawyers, and anonymous phone calls in the late hours also occur regularly.

Photo of gun

"I have been sent a photo of a gun with bullets by mail with the suggestion to" come by "and wait for a problem to be resolved," said a councilor. Another one explained that "I have been threatened with death, but also verbally abused by a speaker during a committee meeting."

Many council members (65 percent) see that the debate in the council and society has become more hostile in recent years.

Follow us:

Latest stories

  • The Netherlands will face almost 80 percent more bankruptcies than last year, Atradius predicts
  • Eneco variable gas prices now below national price cap
  • UvA lecturer concerned about ChatGPT's potential dangers such as racist and sexist language
  • Deposit of 15 cents on cans will officially take effect on April 1
  • Shipping traffic in Rotterdam's port stopped due to short circuit during tunnel work
  • NS staff shortage: hundreds of extra employees will be on trains to relieve workload of conductors

Top stories

  • Tens of thousands of tulips throughout Amsterdam for eighth edition of Tulip Festival
  • Dutch woman molested, stabbed by resort bartender in Goa, India
  • Alcohol banned in elevators from today: An April Fool's roundup
  • Cabinet is halting nitrogen policy to prevent CDA from quitting coalition
  • Justice min. apologizes to family of murdered journalist, lawyer and witness's brother
  • Income details included in massive data breach affecting millions of Dutch residents

© 2012-2023, NL Times, All rights reserved.

Footer menu

  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Partner content