Thousands protest racism, rise of the right in the Netherlands, France
More than 10,000 people gathered in Dam Square in the Dutch capital, Amsterdam, to participate in a massive protest against racism, fascism and far-right policies on Saturday.
The demonstration – organised by Comité 21 Maart – an anti-racism association – came one day after the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, observed annually on 21 March since its 1966 declaration by the United Nations.
Groups also involved in the organisation of the event included Amnesty International, Kick Out Zwarte Piet, the Dutch Palestine Committee and Another Jewish Voice.
Protesters held signs reading 'Never Again' as they warned against the rise of the far-right across Europe, drawing memory to the early 20th century when fascism rose to prominence. The theme of fascism was added this year to the annual rally.
Protesters also waved flags in support of Palestine, after Israel's recent resumption of fighting in Gaza which has claimed the lives of close to 50,000 people in the enclave, across 15-months of fighting with Hamas.
Turkish flags were also waved in solidarity with Turkish protesters demonstrating in Istanbul and other major cities against the arrest of Istanbul Mayor and key opposition figure to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Ekrem Imamoglu.
Protesters voiced their opposition and expressed concern at their domestic governance, after the Dutch government veered sharply to the right last year when four right-wing parties agreed to form a coalition.
'We see that there is a greater growth of radical far right, that racist expressions are on the rise. And if you look at the United States, of course a lot of bad things are happening there,' said a woman participating in the protest.
'I'm here today because of my growing concern about what's happening all over the world. Racism is rising, fascism is rising. So I thought, what can I do?" said another protester.
The demonstration in the Netherlands was peaceful. An official spokesperson reported that no arrests were carried out during the rally.
Protests also took place across France. The French Interior Ministry announced that nearly 91,000 people took part in nationwide demonstrations calling for an end to racism and discriminate policies.
The largest protest took place in the capital, Paris, attracting more than 21,000 people. Demonstrators rallied to raise awareness to what they called an environment that fosters and accommodates hate speech and extremism.
Protesters voiced their rejection of far-right parties amid the rightward shift in French politics and the government's recent pledge to crackdown on immigration and beef up border controls.
Protesters clashed with police in the French capital, where riot police units were deployed to preserve the peace and quell any unrest.
Two people were arrested and three others were injured – including a riot police officer – during the clashes, according to the French Interior Ministry.
Participants protested against the plight of the Palestinian people, holding placards accusing French President Emmanuel Macron of complicity in what they labelled as an unfolding genocide.
Similar protests also took place in the cities of Lyon and Toulouse.
The day was established by the United Nations to commemorate the victims of the Sharpeville Massacre in South Africa in 1960 after police forces opened fire on peaceful demonstrators opposing apartheid-era laws, killing close 69 people.
Since then, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has served as a global call to fight against discriminatory and divisive politics and promote equality. Events and demonstrations are held in major capitals across the world annually to raise awareness and advocate for change.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Labour MPs push front bench for ‘crackdown' on ‘dodgy' vape and barber shops
Labour MPs have called for a 'crackdown' on 'dodgy' vape, barber and souvenir shops, which a minister warned 'undermine the legitimate' firms on Britain's high streets. Melanie Onn said she 'really must press' the Government for long-term action to tackle these shops, which MPs heard had links to tax evasion and money laundering, and Joe Powell said well-known London streets such as Portobello Road and Notting Hill Gate are 'blighted'. Business and trade minister Gareth Thomas told MPs that the National Economic Crime Centre (NECC) had visited almost 400 premises during a three-week operation in March, freezing several bank accounts. Mr Powell, the MP for Kensington and Bayswater, told the Commons: 'Small businesses across my constituency on our high streets from Earls Court Road to Queensway, Notting Hill Gate and Portobello Road are fed up of being blighted by candy shops, low-grade souvenir shops, Harry Potter shops and, yes, even barber shops, with accusations of VAT and business rates evasion, and even links to money laundering and serious organised crime.' He urged Mr Thomas to say 'what steps' the Government is taking 'to crack down on these operations and create a legitimate level playing field for our small businesses'. The minister replied: 'We've been working with colleagues in the Home Office and the National Crime Agency (NCA) to take action to crackdown on illegitimate businesses that threaten to undermine the legitimate ones that are on all of our high streets. 'In March, the NECC co-ordinated a three-week crackdown against barber shops and other cash-intensive businesses where there were concerns, visiting almost 400 premises, securing freezing orders over a series of bank accounts totalling more than £1 million.' In response, Ms Onn said: 'I really do need to press him because my constituents in Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes are equally as fed up as (Mr Powell) of seeing high streets dominated by dodgy vape shops, unlicensed barbers.' She said 'some of them are legitimate' but asked: 'Is he working closely with the Home Office to try and tackle this blight because I think we probably need a national strategy, not a three-week operation?' Mr Thomas said he recognised 'a concern up and down the country' and added the NCA and Home Office 'are seeking to take action against illegitimate business'. He said a Government commitment to bolster police forces with 13,000 extra officers and special constables, backed by an uplift to forces' 'spending power' of 2.3% per year unveiled in Wednesday's spending review, 'will help'. In a viral video, Conservative shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick claimed 'weird Turkish barber shops' were 'chipping away at society', along with fare evasion, when he caught passengers allegedly 'bumping' London Underground ticket barriers on camera. 'The state needs to reassert itself and go after lawbreakers,' he said. Conservative MP Graham Stuart said that if a book which Labour MP for Central Ayrshire Alan Gemmell is writing were a 'political thriller about fighting for small business', then he was 'sure it features five heroes on the front bench opposite, doing everything they can to promote small business'. Ministers laughed and pointed at Tory MPs when Mr Stuart added: 'Readers will ask 'who is the villain of the piece?'' The Beverley and Holderness MP suggested the villain would be Rachel Reeves, 'the Chancellor of the Exchequer who is doing everything possible to undermine business – 276,000 people having lost work since the autumn statement'. He asked: 'When will the ministers, the heroes of this story, fight against the Chancellor who's getting so much so wrong?' Mr Thomas said: 'It's a little while since I've been called a hero by (Mr Stuart) but I'm glad that I've finally had some recognition from him in that regard. 'I don't think the Chancellor of the Exchequer is a villain at all. 'Indeed, I think the spending review that she announced yesterday will help to unlock investment in our high streets and in our small businesses up and down the country – the record investment in research and development, the record investment in infrastructure, and the additional capacity to the British Business Bank will help to unlock billions of pounds of new investment and many more job opportunities across the country.' Labour former minister Liam Byrne later called for 'a plan to cut industrial energy costs now'. The Commons Business and Trade Committee chairman said: 'As our committee pointed out on Friday, the success of the industrial strategy will depend on a plan to cut industrial energy costs now. 'When the industrial strategy is published, will the Secretary of State reassure us that there will be a plan to ensure that UK energy prices are internationally competitive?' Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds replied: 'The very significant increase in industrial energy prices under the terms of the last government are a significant issue for our competitiveness, and yes, that is something we're seeking to address.'
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
I'm a Palm Beach County pastor. Here's what I learned by welcoming refugees.
These words may confuse you: immigrants, migrants, illegal aliens, foreigners, newcomers. But here is a word I hope you know well: refugees. A refugee is seeking 'refuge' because he or she is fleeing political or religious persecution, and is forced to leave home and relocate to a shelter. The U.S. Refugees Admissions Program is on pause by President Donald Trump, who wants to determine if it's in the interest of our country. Trump closed the door on many already approved to come here, including former Afghan allies who once aided the United States, and refugee family members waiting to be reunited. Faith-based U.S. resettlement organizations are no longer able to provide housing, job placement or language courses. Shutting down congressionally mandated programs harms thousands of vulnerable refugee families that we have pledged to support. Among the agencies affected are Church World Services, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services and Catholic Relief. Under this order by President Trump the following refugees would not have been allowed to enter our country: Henry Kissinger, Madeline Albright, Albert Einstein, Gloria Estefan, Sigmund Freud, Marlene Dietrich, Anne Frank, Billy Wilder and Elie Wiesel. Refugees usually remain in United Nations-sponsored camps for 10-15 years. They are approved (vetted) on many different security levels, have thorough physical check-ups, take job training courses, English language classes and classes on adjusting on a new life elsewhere. Letters: Wake up, Floridians: Our politicians don't respect or represent us They must all have 'a sponsor' who will meet them at the airport, assist in finding a job, and secure housing. No refugee can come to the U.S. without a sponsor who agrees to walk beside them until they are independent, and able to care for themselves. Government-approved resettlement agencies pair a sponsor with a corresponding family. A sponsor receives no compensation, but funds are available by the sponsoring agency if there is an emergency. Opinion: Trump's mass deportations hurt Floridians like these. It's a shame to US values. Refugees agree to begin repaying the U.S. government for transportation costs within two years of their arrival in the U.S. As a Lutheran pastor, I led our congregation to welcome more than 200 refugees to Palm Beach County. All were successful and have given back more than they received. For more information about the history of refugees, I recommend an outstanding book, "They Are Us," available through Fortress Press. This book reminds us that the only natives here are the American Native Indians, and that we all came from beyond our borders and have a duty to be hospitable and welcoming to all who desire to make our country even greater. Rev. John Frerking, 35 year senior pastor at Faith Lutheran Church in North Palm Beach. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: What is a refugee? I'm a pastor and I'll tell you | Opinion
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Istanbul mayor boycotts court hearing in one of many cases that could see him banned from politics
ISTANBUL (AP) — Istanbul's imprisoned opposition Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu and his lawyers boycotted a court hearing Thursday, claiming a late change of venue was 'unlawful.' Thursday's case, which was over comments Imamoglu made over the prosecution of other officials from his Republican People's Party, or CHP, is one of numerous criminal allegations Imamoglu faces. The mayor was arrested in March alongside other prominent politicians as part of investigations into alleged corruption and terror links. His arrest triggered the largest street protests Turkey has seen in more than a decade. A conviction in any of the cases could see Imamoglu banned from holding or running for public office. Imamoglu is regarded as the main challenger to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan 's 22-year rule and was officially nominated as his party's presidential candidate following his imprisonment. Turkey's next election is due in 2028 but could come sooner. In a statement, the CHP said neither Imamoglu nor his legal team would attend Thursday's hearing due to a change in venue through 'unlawful procedures.' Imamoglu, in a post from jail, described the hearing as 'irregular' and said it 'does not comply with the principles of the trial. I refuse to be a part of such a process and therefore I will not attend this hearing.' CHP Istanbul Provincial Chairman Ozgur Celik posted on X that the hearing had been moved from Caglayan courthouse in central Istanbul to Silivri prison 24 hours beforehand. Imamoglu is being held at the prison, west of Istanbul. Prosecutors have requested a prison sentence of two to four years and a political ban on charges of 'attempting to influence' an expert witness in the case. The hearing was adjourned to Sept. 26. Officials from CHP-controlled municipalities have faced waves of arrests this year. Many people in Turkey consider the cases to be politically driven, according to opinion polls. Erdogan's government insists the courts are impartial and free from political involvement.
