About 200 people gather in Arnhem to back LGBTIQ+ people after flags destroyed
Arnhem's mayor called the destruction of rainbow flags at the Blauwe Golven "unprecedentedly cowardly" before about 200 people gathered in the city centre to show support for LGBTIQ+ people.
About 200 people gathered in central Arnhem on Wednesday evening to show support for LGBTIQ+ people, the municipality of Arnhem said. They met at the Blauwe Golven, where rainbow flags were destroyed. The municipality filed a report of vandalism and hung new flags on Wednesday.
The COC Midden-Gelderland, a local LGBTIQ+ organisation, and Dolle Mina's Arnhem called on people to gather at the site for "a cheerful and clear counter-voice". The COC's message was: "keep your hands off our flags". Mayor Ahmed Marcouch gave a speech.
Earlier on Wednesday Marcouch called the destruction "deeply hurtful, unprecedentedly cowardly and simply criminal". He added: "Discrimination and intolerance are being forced down our throats again and again by this kind of action."
Karl van den Top of the Algemene Vlaggenhandel, a flag supplier, said that of the 125 masts with rainbow flags on the ring around Arnhem, eleven were pulled over in the night from Tuesday to Wednesday. Six suffered damage to the poles and the knobs on top, he said. He said he had restored all masts and flags before noon.
Last week Paarse vrijdag took place, when the rainbow flag flew in many municipalities and at the Tweede Kamer, the lower house of parliament. Arnhem also kicked off the Roze Jaar, and next year it will host Roze Zaterdag.
Follow the story: Paarse vrijdag
COC Midden-Gelderland (Cultuur- en Ontspanningscentrum)
COC Midden-Gelderland is the regional branch of COC, a Dutch organisation for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer (LGBTIQ+) people, active in the Arnhem and Midden-Gelderland area. It organises social activities, gives information and support, and speaks out for the rights and safety of LGBTIQ+ people locally. Its role matters here because it is one of the local voices that responds when rainbow symbols or LGBTIQ+ rights are challenged.
Paarse vrijdag
Paarse vrijdag is a yearly day in the Netherlands that calls for solidarity with LGBTIQ+ people and opposition to discrimination against them. Municipalities, organisations and public buildings take part by displaying the rainbow flag, and people are encouraged to show support in their own surroundings.
Tweede Kamer
The House of Representatives, the lower and more powerful house of the Dutch parliament. Its 150 members are elected directly; it can amend bills and holds the cabinet to account.