Protest on Educational Cutbacks Canceled Due to Safety Concerns

Protests called off

Student groups, unions and education advocates had planned a protest on Monday against the government's plan to cut €100 million education budget. However, this has been revised. The protest was to have formed part of the broader national day of action against the cabinet's 2023 budget. But the organizations behind the protest were forced to abandon their plans, citing unacceptable security risks.

According to student protest group Studentenunie: ‘universities are not a safe environment for protests right now and demonstrations cannot take place as planned’. On Monday, several far-right and anti-immigration groups attempted to infiltrate protests in Utrecht and Zwolle. In Utrecht, protesters supporting the fascist group Voorpost tried to hijack a pro-refugee rally. In Zwolle, a group protesting the corona policy suddenly turned their attention to the anti-budget protest nearby and blocked demonstrators.

Escalation of tensions

One person was arrested in Utrecht and four hooligans were held in Zwolle. The authorities are concerned that the violence could escalate further if a national protest against the government budget was to take place and that the safety of demonstrators could not be guaranteed. The organizations which had called for the protest say they will now seek other ways to make their voices heard.