Venting anger in Amsterdam

[dutchdemocrat]

OUT with the Reformist Christian Right in the Netherlands! They won't last another election!

Venting anger in Amsterdam

By Andy Clark
Radio Netherlands, in Amsterdam

Museum Square, in the heart of Amsterdam, is as large as several football fields. But it was not big enough to hold the largest demonstration in The Netherlands for more than two decades.

Free rail tickets bolstered numbers

The streets of the Dutch capital were jammed as more than 200,000 protesters turned up to vent their anger over the biggest cutbacks in public spending the country has ever seen. As the numbers grew throughout the day the police had to ask people to stop making their way to the square. Several streets ground to a complete standstill. The protesters came from across the country.

Their numbers were bolstered by a deal struck between the unions and the national rail company to give free tickets to the capital for anyone taking part. The demonstration's official slogan was the functional, if a little un-exciting, "Nederland Verdient Beter" - "The Netherlands Deserves Better".

The country's Prime Minister, Jan Peter Balkenende was one of the chief targets. The Dutch leader has been sidelined from duties for several weeks because of a nasty foot infection - not a very macho injury for a politician who, at the best of times, struggles with his image. "To hell with the government," read one banner nailed beneath a plastic foot. Another protester had made a puppet of Mr Balkenende, complete with bandaged foot.

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3710266.stm

[dutchdemocrat]

1. Some 200,000 rally against Dutch austerity measures

Some 200,000 rally against Dutch austerity measures





AMSTERDAM : Some 200,000 people rallied in Amsterdam against the govenrment's controversial austerity and reform measures in the city's biggest demonstration in two decades. The demonstrators protested measures by the centre-right government of Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende aimed at reducing early retirement entitlements, putting back the retirement age and reforming the social security contributions system from next January.

"There weren't as many people during the demonstrations here against nuclear weapons in 1981," said police spokeswoman Elly Florax.

The country's three leading labour union groups, the FNV, CNV and MHP, organised the demonstration, with participants from all over the country rallying in the city's Museum Square. Protest banners and tee-shirts read "the cup is full", "the Netherlands deserve better," "No to longer working hours". The unions said they hoped the success of the demonstration would persuade the government to re-think its plans.

The government coalition also plans to introduce changes in the system of invalidity benefits and health insurance. It says the measures are required to revive the sluggish economy and keep the social security system going.

"I've problems believing these arguments," said Paul Sonke, a 40 year-old professional psychologist who took part in the rally along with his daughter. "I do not find fair a health care reform that recompenses those who are not ill while those who are ill get nothing. People don't choose to be ill." Teachers Yt and Margo criticised what they called the lack of solidarity in government politics.

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3710154.stm

[Kanary]

2. I'm so glad you posted this! I saw on LinkTV this morning, from Germany,

some of the attacks to the social democracies in Europe. I was shocked and dismayed.

What the heck is going on?

Do we have to come over there and straighten you all out?

oh, yeah, that's right... we have a bigger mess right here...... :)

Seriously, what I heard has me worried. I hope you and other Europeans will post more about this.

Viva Spain! :)

Kanary

[VotefurKerry]

3. When does the shooting start?

"Elsewhere, his head was transposed onto a statue of Saddam Hussein, a message on the plinth saying "Overthrow Balkenende". "