{"id":28363,"date":"2023-11-25T14:14:05","date_gmt":"2023-11-25T14:14:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/amsterdam-protests-against-discrimination-after-far-right-win-the-express-tribune\/"},"modified":"2023-11-25T14:14:05","modified_gmt":"2023-11-25T14:14:05","slug":"amsterdam-protests-against-discrimination-after-far-right-win-the-express-tribune","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pakistaninewspaperlist.com\/news\/amsterdam-protests-against-discrimination-after-far-right-win-the-express-tribune\/","title":{"rendered":"Amsterdam protests against discrimination after far-right win | The Express Tribune"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\nAMSTERDAM:
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More than a thousand people gathered in Amsterdam on Friday in support of groups facing discrimination in the Netherlands, after major gains for a far-right political party this week.<\/p>\n

In Amsterdam’s central Dam Square people lit candles or held up cellphone lights in a mostly silent protest, two days after the general election in which the Freedom Party (PVV) of anti-Islam politician\u00a0Geert Wilders\u00a0won the most seats.<\/p>\n

Wilders, who is now trying to build a\u00a0governing coalition, has vowed to close Dutch borders to immigrants and cut spending on climate change, cultural and foreign development programmes.<\/p>\n

Organisers of the “Together for Solidarity” protest included Amnesty International, Greenpeace, groups supporting gay rights, the arts, peace and refugees, as well as anti-racism activists and left-leaning political parties.<\/p>\n

They said they wanted to show that they would continue to defend the rule of law and a country that is ‘for everyone.’<\/p>\n

Read more<\/strong>\u00a0Dutch election: Far-right’s Wilders aims to be PM after shock win<\/a><\/p>\n

“I feel sad about the election results … And I’m really worried about our country,” said Sara Coster.<\/p>\n

“I was most proud of the Netherlands because we welcome people and everybody can be who you are and I’m really flabbergasted and shocked and angry,” the 58-year-old added.<\/p>\n

Another demonstrator, Jan Jaap van Oosterzee, 62, said he felt Wilders’ win was “against every thing we’re standing for, and that I’m personally standing for”.<\/p>\n

Wilders party “stands for exclusion of my colleagues, of my children, of denying climate change,” he said.<\/p>\n

“Really everything that’s dear to us and that we find important is at stake here,” Oosterzee added<\/p>\n

Muslim groups are planning a demonstration in Amsterdam on December 2 to protest against “populism and sowing hate”. Muslims, who make up around 5% of the Dutch population of almost 18 million people, have\u00a0expressed shock\u00a0at the election result.<\/p>\n

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