Pro-Kurdish march in Amsterdam largely peaceful; One arrested in Rokin scuffle
Thousands of pro-Kurdish demonstrators marched through central Amsterdam on Saturday, calling attention to violence against Kurds in Syria, while a minor scuffle on the Rokin resulted in one person being detained by police.
The demonstration began at Leidseplein and progressed through the Weteringcircuit, Muntplein, and Rokin before arriving at the Dam. Protesters carried banners reading “EU gives your money to jihadists,” “Terrorist Turkey,” and “Hands off Rojava.” According to Het Parool, some signs included images of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa labeled “terrorist” or “jihadist.”
Protesters of all ages waved Kurdish flags and chanted calls for freedom, representing Kurdish communities from Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Iraq.
A small group of alawites, a Syrian minority historically targeted after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad, also joined the demonstration and were welcomed by the crowd, Het Parool said.
The march was reportedly largely peaceful, though a brief altercation broke out on the Rokin. Police intervened with a van to separate the individuals involved, and at least one person was taken into custody. The cause of the confrontation remains unclear.
The protests follow renewed ethnic violence in northern Syria, where Kurdish populations have faced attacks by forces aligned with Syrian President al-Sharaa.
