It is not clear to organizer Abel Heijkamp why the police acted. “It was a very peaceful demonstration with combative speeches on the stage. Then we walked from the Afrikaanderpark to the Markthal. Groups were surrounded halfway on the Erasmus Bridge.”
According to Heijkamp, the police action was rough and rude. “It is not clear to date what these fellow protesters have done. Everyone has freedom of demonstration.”
Heijkamp wants clarification from the authorities about what exactly happened. It seemed like there was a preconceived plan behind it, he says. “You can’t just surround a group and then say: they can’t walk any further, or whatever. The police have let it escalate through their actions.”
Complaints procedure
The Rotterdam police say that a complaints procedure is underway. “Information had come in that there was a group that was not out for a peaceful demonstration,” said a spokesperson. About a hundred participants were therefore “isolated” in order to monitor them.
“After the group was isolated, a small group of other protesters reacted violently against the police. The police felt compelled to intervene and that led to a short confrontation.” A group of protesters was taken away by tram. Nine people have been arrested for illegal possession of weapons, defamation, sedition and insult.
The Woonopstand in Rotterdam was the second protest against the situation on the housing market, organized by action groups and interest groups. More demonstrations are planned in the coming weeks, in The Hague and Utrecht, among others.
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