Media organizations banned from Hilversum commemoration

The organizers of the commemoration of the February Strike in Hilversum refused to let five media organizations attend the commemoration on Monday afternoon. An email signed by organizer Arthur Graaff stated that these "non-journalistic propaganda organizations" are not welcome at the commemoration. Hilversum mayor Pieter Broertjes also did not attend in protest, NOS reports.

The five media organizations in question are PowNed, GeenStijl, WNL, De Dagelijks Standaard and The Post Online. "Of course their work will not be facilitated and our security department will stop as many recordings as possible. In case of annoying behavior, the police, who is present, will be immediately called in", the email read, according to the broadcaster.

Mayor Broertjes reacted on Twitter: "I am - out of protest - not present at the commemoration of the February Strike at Kerkbrink In Hilversum. The fact that the organizers denied a number of editors of the free press access is very reprehensible and contrary to the spirit of the February strikers."

The February Strike was a mass protest against the persecution of Jews in the Netherlands during World War II.