Demonstration right at stake

As people, we have the right to demonstrate peacefully against this unjust system and to speak up on issues that affect us all, such as the climate and housing. It is unacceptable that activists and organizers in both the climate and housing movements are intimidated by the government. It is scandalous that home visits by police officers to activists and organizers have become completely normal. Recent research by Trouw also showed that Investico and De Groene Amsterdammer ​​​​​​​that the police request large amounts of data from activists and their family members. These intimidation tactics sow fear and are clearly intended to reduce willingness to take action. That intention will never succeed, and we see this reflected in the growing turnout and solidarity for XR's actions! We call on the government and the police to stop these intimidations and instead facilitate demonstrations, protect the right to demonstrate and freedom of expression! 

Police brutality

The police actions last Saturday in The Hague have major similarities with the actions of the police during the Housing Rebellion demonstration in Rotterdam and the Housing Protest in Amsterdam. You can read how the police dealt with peaceful demonstrators on the Erasmus Bridge on October 17, 2021 in our black book. Even then, the armed arm of the government opted for escalation and violence. The questions we asked about this performance have still not been answered and any form of critical self-reflection is lacking within the Rotterdam triangle. 

As a national housing movement Woonopstand, we remain in solidarity with XR and condemn the intimidation, preventive arrests and violence against peaceful demonstrators and call on everyone to continue to work for a fair climate and housing policy!

Solidarity greeting on behalf of the housing movement