Students march ends in Amsterdam occupation Maagdenhuis – nrc.nl

Students march ends in Amsterdam occupation Maagdenhuis – nrc.nl

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A march in Amsterdam for more democracy in higher education has ended today with the intrusion of the Maagdenhuis by the students. The demonstration had come a thousand protesters.

According to Bas Blokker, NRC -edited locally, a group of about 100 people managed to force the door. In addition, they seem to have used violence against a security guard who was at the door. This could not confirm the police

Update 20:45:. The city of Amsterdam awaits the response from the board of the University of Amsterdam (UvA) on the occupation of the Maagdenhuis and yet does not intends to intervene. That said a spokesman for Mayor Eberhard van der Laan against ANP news agency

The protesters have two requirements:.

1. The board of UvA should resign immediately
2. The Supervisory Board must call elections within a month for a new board, elected by all students and teachers.

The police did not seize provisionally. She wants to await developments, said a spokesman at the NRC. It is unclear whether this is spontaneous or planned action. Students discuss whether they will it or not stay.

City station AT5 has a live stream of events:

The Maagdenhuis is a historic and symbolic location. The monument was occupied several times by students. The first time was in 1969. Students then also demanded a say in the university administration. The occupation ended violently after five days by the police. In each subsequent decade Maagdenhuis was well taken once. The last time was in February 2005, by students and schoolchildren protesting against higher tuition fees and less participation.

occupation Bungehuis

The protest march began at the Bungehuis, the university building that was until yesterday occupied, and would lead along different locations of the University of Amsterdam to the Maagdenhuis on the Spui. On the Facebook page of the protest march that preceded the invasion of the Maagdenhuis gave about 1,700 people to run with it.

The demonstration was supported by approximately fifteen students organizations (youth divisions of) political parties. The National Union of Students LSVb was also represented. President Tom Hoven told Reuters news agency:

“It is really clear that students and teachers want more participation and transparency. As long as the government does talk to us, but do not listen, we will continue to take action. “

The police spokesman said earlier that the march” orderly “had expired, even though there was” a lot of noise ” created. Campaigners walked with drums, bells and flags.

UvA wanted tons penalty per occupant

In protest against plans by the University of Amsterdam and the lack of participation of students and teachers occupy dozens eleven days Bungehuis, a building of the Faculty of Humanities in the center of Amsterdam. They called themselves The New University, demanding among other democracy in the realization of the policy, more fixed contracts and maintaining Bungehuis for college. Earlier this month it was announced that the building is sold to property company Aedes Real Estate.

The UvA dragged the occupants to justice. The stakes: a penalty of one ton per day for each occupant. The judge finally decided on a penalty of 1,000 euros per occupant per day. But not even go to the University of Amsterdam had made concessions after this verdict the occupiers wanted to summary proceedings.

Not persecuted warned

Mayor Eberhard van der Laan made several attempts to mediate in the conflict, but the occupiers and the board of the University of Amsterdam came no closer. A marathon debate proposed by the UvA on the University and education could not replace the consultation required by them. It was decided to proceed with eviction.

At the evacuation were arrested yesterday afternoon 47 occupants. All three were released last night. The other 44 students had to stay a night in jail, but were released today dropwise. They are not prosecuted, provided they the next two years not guilty of an offense, the prosecution announced this afternoon

View the photo series on Bungehuis:.

Please read the timeline of the occupation in the NRC: A “negative end” in the Bungehuis

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student protest

University of Amsterdam