Protest cancellation

In our previous statement about tomorrow’s protest against the budget cuts in higher education, we stated that we need to protect our democracy. The demonstration where we wanted to stand for our democratic rights has now been cancelled, based on a threat from “pro-Palestine activists from outside academia” who supposedly intended to hijack the protest in a violent manner. The police have not shared any concrete evidence of this and we have no faith that the “threat” was in any way realistic.

This is unacceptable and repugnant. This securitization process could have been used to suppress any demonstration. Our right to protest has already been thoroughly infringed. We need to be ready to fight for our democratic rights under a fascist government that is more than willing to take them away. 

We are currently involved in ongoing conversations with the unions, WOinActie and other coalition partners about next steps and alternatives for tomorrow. Our input will be that the demonstration should continue as planned – let the municipality show its authoritarian teeth and officially prohibit the protest. 

Around 21:00 we will tell you how we will proceed tomorrow.