According to former Speaker of Parliament Gerdi Verbeet, the fierce way of demonstrating – such as waiting for Minister Sigrid Kaag with torches – is becoming more and more frequent. According to the former politician, it is now increasingly evident because today there is a lot to disagree with, which is achieved by a stacking effect.
Yet she says it’s not the most serious threat. She finds anonymous threats made via social media worse. Especially since threats are invisible, while demonstrations often turn into conversations. “The minister handled it very well,” she says. “That means disagreeing with each other with an open mind, and that fits in a democracy.”
According to Verbeet, the seriousness of online threats lies in creating an opportunity to attack or harm someone. Plus, it’s anonymous. These people were just visibly present with Kaag, and in all likelihood they also showed up,” she says. “And I assume Kaag was not present without any guidance.”
‘Just don’t do it’
However, the bad taste of the action is beyond question, says Verbeet. All the more so given the events in Kaag’s private sphere. “Then you shouldn’t start waving torches, you just shouldn’t.”
According to Verbeet, it’s not the case that politicians have proclaimed this kind of reaction on themselves, but she thinks it’s important to tell people exactly what’s what. “If you make people believe for a long time that there’s no nitrogen problem, and then come up with all kinds of measures, then I understand people are outraged and frustrated.”
Intimidating
Presenter and organizer Hans Verbeek of Politics in de Pol – which Kaag joined yesterday – does not entirely agree with Verbeet. He thinks protesters should take responsibility for how they demonstrate. “We’ve had demonstrations with tractors before, which in turn can be intimidating,” he says. Now the torches have arrived. I think they should think for themselves if this is still the right way to prove.’
“I think protesters should think for themselves if this is still the right way to demonstrate.”
Furthermore, according to Verbeek, leaflets were distributed door-to-door the day before the broadcast with Kaag in which Kaag is held responsible for the crisis of assistance, asylum, energy and nitrogen. ‘But when we hosted Secretary of State Eric van der Burg – who is actually responsible for the asylum crisis – not a single protester showed up. So it’s a form of personal hatred towards Kaag.’
Nothing happened?
Verbeek therefore wants to hear nothing of the protesters’ defense that “nothing criminal happened”. “It’s always harassment. Sure, nothing happened, the atmosphere was calm and she could just carry on, but if you’re waiting for someone with a fighting dog and torches, that’s not my way of giving a hospitable welcome,’ he concludes.
Source: BNR
Fernando Dowling is an author and political journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. He has a deep understanding of the political landscape and a passion for analyzing the latest political trends and news.
