Thousands demonstrate against police violence in Amsterdam

Two minutes silence during the demonstration. Photo: Robin Utrecht ANP
Two minutes silence during the demonstration. Photo: Robin Utrecht ANP

Several thousand demonstrators gathered on Dam square in central Amsterdam on Monday to protest at the killing of George Floyd and to show solidarity with anti police violence campaigners in the US.

The demonstrators, wearing face masks and carrying cardboard placards stating ‘Black lives matter’ and ‘I can’t breathe’, struggled to keep to social distancing rules, but the atmosphere was good and there was a low profile police presence, eye witnesses said.

Demonstrations also took place in cities across Europe, including London, Copenhagen and Berlin. The Hague and Groningen are on the list for Tuesday while Rotterdam will follow on June 3.

The aim of the demonstration was to both show solidarity with the demonstrators in the US and to focus attention on ‘racism and police violence in the Netherlands and the EU,’ the organisers said.

In particular the organisers refer to the death of Mitch Hendriquez, who died following a violent arrest in The Hague five years ago, and the arrest of Jerry Afriyie in Gouda during an anti-Zwarte Piet demonstration in 2014.

According to RTL, some 3,000 people took part in the rally. Police have not yet given an estimate.

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