Amsterdam mayor a bit nervous about upcoming Remembrance Day ceremony

Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema is “a bit nervous” for the National Remembrance Day ceremony on Dam Square on Saturday, she said on Nieuwsuur on Tuesday evening. This year, the city took extra security measures to prevent spontaneous protests or disruptions. People had to book a spot to attend the commemoration on Dam Square. All 10,000 places have now been taken. The last spot was reserved just before 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

The fact that people had to register this time is mainly intended to avoid disappointment if there are no more places, according to the mayor. Usually, around 20,000 people go to the Amsterdam square for the commemoration.

Activist Frank van der Linde, who wanted to demonstrate with signs during the ceremony against PVV parliamentarian and president of the Tweede Kamer Martin Bosma, told Nieuwsuur that he will be on Dam Square during the commemoration. The municipality had assigned him an alternative demonstration location on the Singel, which Van der Linde considers a ban on his right to demonstrate. He plans to turn his back on Bosma during the wreath-laying ceremony.”

“There is no ban on turning around. It cannot be prevented and there is little to do about it if it happens. I hope that the activist will respect the dignity of the moment and the ritual,” said Halsema.

The mayor said she is not concerned about announced demonstrations. It is possible unannounced protests “at a fragile moment” that worry her. She referred to the two minutes of silence during Remembrance Day. “That silence is of great significance.”

The city has taken as many measures as possible “but there are no guarantees,” the mayor said. “If you want to be sure that nothing happens, you have to have an empty Dam Square. No one wants that.” She stressed that it is “important that it is a public commemoration.”