Femke Halsema intends to conduct an independent investigation into the crowds during the demonstration on Dam Square in Amsterdam. The mayor of Amsterdam announced this on Monday evening in a letter to the council.
The mayor previously noted that the information position was not good. According to Halsema, the triangle (mayor, police and justice) did not have realistic numbers. “That should be better in the future.”
Although a Black Lives Matter protest with 250 to 300 participants was assumed on June 1, the final number of demonstrators rose to many thousands. Estimates of the total number of demonstrators vary, from 5,000 to 10,000 or even 14,000 demonstrators present at the peak of the demonstration.
Further research should provide more clarity about the exact number of participants, Halsema writes.
The mayor again emphasized Monday evening that the number of participants in the demonstration is estimated too low. “Had the triangle had a realistic estimate, an alternative plan would have been made, for example by designating a different location.”
Protest has never ended because of fear of disturbances
It quickly got busy with the demonstration, which was to take place on the Dam between 17:00 and 18:30. However, the triangle did not decide to end the demonstration prematurely.
When there were more than 5,000 participants on the square just before 6 p.m., Halsema did have contact with the police chief about ending the protest. However, the police chief advised not to dissolve the demonstration. “In combination with the sentiment, possible risks of police intervention (escalation and violence against the police) and the remaining duration of the demonstration, the triangle has decided not to deviate from the line of action,” Halsema writes.
The massive turnout made it impossible for protesters to keep a sufficient distance and thus follow the guidelines of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM). However, Halsema decided not to intervene, because according to the mayor, the right to demonstrate is enshrined in the constitution. She received much criticism of this decision.
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