Amsterdam protest against ‘divide-and-conquer politics’ draws 15,000, ends peacefully

The large-scale protest march held Saturday in Amsterdam ended after thousands of participants expressed their opposition to the current Dutch cabinet’s policies, organizers confirmed. The event, despite rainy weather, drew approximately 15,000 demonstrators who marched through key city streets to protest what they called the government’s “divide-and-conquer politics.”

The protest, organized by the coalition Into the Streets (“De Straat Op”), covered a 4.3-kilometer route starting near Muntplein and passing through Vijzelgracht, Frederiksplein, and Utrechtsestraat before returning to the Dam. According to the organizers, the atmosphere throughout the event was “determined,” with more people joining the march along the way.

Into the Streets stated in a release, “After one year of the current cabinet, it has become clearer than ever: extreme right-wing groups are not interested in real solutions. Instead, they scapegoat groups who have nothing to do with the issues: migrants, Muslims, trans people, and demonstrators.”

The protest united 240 organizations, including Dolle Mina, Homomonument, Milieudefensie,and TivoliVredenburg. The coalition called the turnout a significant show of resistance against what they described as growing political division and fearmongering.

Organizers described Saturday’s protest as part of an ongoing campaign to challenge the government’s policies and radical-right influence on the political agenda. Despite the wet conditions, the march concluded peacefully, with no reports of major incidents. Authorities had reportedly prepared for the event but did not need to intervene significantly.