Despite new negotiations between the outgoing cabinet and representatives of the event industry, there is no relaxation of current coronavirus restrictions in sight. Disappointed by this result, Unmute Us called for another protest march on September 11.
Translated by Mehret Haile-Mariam
Although Ebel Jan van Dijk, director of the Liberation Festival Groningen, stated that the discussion took place “in a good and constructive atmosphere,” still, “no commitments were made.” As a result, Unmute Us announced another nationwide protest. Both, event industry and visitors want to express their disappointment and pressure the cabinet into lifting the ban on festivals and events.
Representatives of the outgoing cabinet, Unmute Us and the Alliance of Event builders’ organizers attended the meeting. As a result, the ministers promised to include the event industry’s arguments in their decision-making process with regard to the press conference on September 14.
No more Waiting
“We could wait, but we don’t want to,” Van Dijk pointed out. Other events, such as the Formula 1 in Zandvoort, hosting 70,000 people last weekend, take place, so the question remains why other events are still prohibited. On the one hand, the upcoming protest march is a way to release frustration and anger. On the other hand, Van Dijk says, “We strongly feel the need to beat the drum even harder now – with a positive sound. ”
So far, around 70,000 people have joined the nationwide protest in Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Groningen, Nijmegen, and Utrecht back in August. Van Dijk expects even more people to join their upcoming protest on September 11.
