Swastikas, anti-LGBTQIA+ texts painted on election signs in Baarn politicians' gardens
Election signs were defaced with swastikas and anti-LGBTQIA+ texts in Baarn over the weekend. The signs involved were placed in the front gardens of PvdA alderman Mark Eijbaard and D66 lead candidate Hanneke Struijk-Cramer, RTV Utrecht reported.
The eight parties participating in Baarn in Wednesday’s municipal elections released a joint statement expressing their disgust. “Intimidating people who are committed to the future of Baarn, and doing so in their own front gardens at that, crosses all lines,” they wrote. “This is behavior that we do not tolerate in Baarn.”
Political differences are part of the world, and they can be discussed, but not through intimidation, harassment, and hate speech, the party said. “Discussions are conducted with words and arguments, not with a spray can and hate symbols.”
The parties said they stand unconditionally for the LGBTQIA+ residents of Baarn and will not tolerate anti-Semitism. “The freedom to be yourself is the foundation of our village, and we will not compromise on that.”
The statement was signed by D66, PvdA, ChristenUnie, VVD, GroenLinks, 50Plus, CDA, and VoorBaarn. The two involved politicians have filed police reports.
“You may disagree, you don’t have to vote PvdA, but discussing things is done differently than spray-painting a swastika,” Alderma Eijbaard told NOS. He has replaced the vandalized sign.
D66 candidate Struijk-Cramer gave the broadcaster a similar statement. “You may disagree with each other, but you keep your hands off each other’s belongings.” The D66 in Baarn covered the anti-LGBTQIA+ text with hearts in rainbow colors.
