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Thousands rally in Amsterdam in protest of racism and far-right policies

Thousands of demonstrators in Amsterdam against racism and fascism
Thousands of demonstrators in Amsterdam against racism and fascism Copyright  EBU
Copyright EBU
By David O'Sullivan
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Organisers of the demonstration warned against the rise of the far-right in the Netherlands, whose government veered to the right last year.

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Thousands took to the streets of Amsterdam to demonstrate against racism and fascism on Saturday. 

The protest was peaceful and police did not arrest anyone, according to an official spokesperson. 

Groups involved in organising the event included Amnesty International, Kick Out Zwarte Piet, the Dutch Palestine Committee and Another Jewish Voice. 

Protesters held signs reading “Never Again” and “Fact or Faber.” They waved flags for Palestine, Turkey, Ukraine and Black Lives Matter. 

Local media report that speeches at the march increasingly focused on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Other themes included climate change, exploitation of migrant workers, Islamophobia and discrimination facing member of the LGBTQ+ community. 

The demonstration takes place annually against the backdrop of the International Day Against Racism & Discrimination on March 21. The theme of fascism was added this year. 

Organisers and protesters warned of rising fascism in the Netherlands. “There are citizens here who are tired of this government,” said coordinator Abdou Menebhi, accusing the state of “anti-democratic measures against Muslims and asylum seekers.” 

Last year, the Dutch government veered sharply to the right after four right-wing parties agreed to form a coalition. 

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