27th edition of the Amsterdam Canal Parade with 80 boats in full swing

The boat parade for the 27th edition of the Canal Parade is underway on the Amsterdam canals. 80 boats sail from the Oosterdok via the Nieuwe Herengracht, Amstel, and Prinsengracht towards the Westerdok. Many people are standing on the side, and residents have decorated their canal houses with rainbow colors.

This year's theme is #TOGETHER, with which the parade wants to draw attention to the fight for equal rights for the rainbow community. Various boats will be sailing along that convey a message. For example, an Onbeperkt Samen boat will be sailing with people with a (mental) disability. The Amnesty boat will remain empty this year, to draw attention to "discriminatory and criminalizing legislation against the LGBTQ+ community worldwide".

The annual Pride in Amsterdam should be seen as a message of love for our loved ones and also for those who are further away from us "but face similar challenges due to their sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, or diversity in gender development," the initiators of the event state.

The COC interest group is sailing along with its own boat but is also taking action. COC has hung up several banners along the route with the message "Stop the violence against the rainbow community."

AT5 reports that protesters briefly blocked the Booking.com boat. About eight swimmers jumped into the water at Plantage Middenlaan and held up a banner with the text "Stop profiting from war crimes." As a result, the Booking.com boat could not sail for a short time, according to the city broadcaster.

State Secretary for Emancipation Mariëlle Paul will sail on the Youth Pride boat. "In the Netherlands, you can be who you want to be and love who you want to love. That's what I stand for. If you're in love, you should be able to walk down the street safely, hand in hand. Whoever you are," says Paul about her participation in the Canal Parade.

The boat parade will be broadcast live by AVROTROS on NPO2.