Utrecht mayor urges to avoid student protest in Utrecht

Students who refused to accept the cancellation of the national education protest believed on Thursday morning that they had permission from the Utrecht municipality to go ahead with their demonstration in Moreelsepark. This was confirmed by student union STUUR and WOinActie. However, Utrecht has now urged people not to travel to the city.

Update 11.21 am: In a press release from the Utrecht municipality, mayor Sharon Dijksma has strongly urged demonstrators not to come to Utrecht. “We are deeply concerned about the sentiment that may arise if groups still decide to demonstrate today. The triangle [mayor, police, and public prosecutor] therefore asks everyone not to come. The triangle acknowledges that some individuals may still want to attend. We call on everyone to remain calm and will assess (spontaneous) actions on a case-by-case basis. Above all, we prioritise the safety of demonstrators and bystanders.”

Members of the student union STUUR have stated that they are already on their way to Utrecht. They also have no intention of turning back.

Union leaders were summoned by mayor Sharon Dijksma on Wednesday with an urgent request to call off the protest, which had been in the works for weeks. An unnamed “pro-Palestinian activist group” was allegedly planning to hijack the protest, with the potential use of violence. According to union representatives, Dijksma warned that she would ban the protest if they did not cancel it, which led them to call it off.

Student unions, which were not formally involved in organising the protest, disagreed with the decision and urged their members in WhatsApp groups to head to Utrecht Central Station regardless. Initially, students expected the protest to be prohibited, raising concerns about a potentially tense atmosphere. However, on Thursday morning, it emerged that the Utrecht council is prepared to support the protest.

Meanwhile, university staff have devised alternative plans. Speakers from the original Utrecht protest programme will now address the House of Representatives, with university staff across the country following the event via a livestream. In some cities, this will be followed by a walkout.

It remains unclear what is currently stopping university staff from still heading to Utrecht or what, if anything, remains of the threat from the pro-Palestinian group planning to hijack the protest.