‘3000 euros? Op je muil!’ EUR students and staff protest against budget cuts

Staff and students from Erasmus University joined the national education protest at the Malieveld on Monday. “We have to do it ourselves, no one is going to help us.”

‘Are we fucking mad?’

1:00 PM – Despite the rain, people are streaming onto the Malieveld, some seeking shelter under umbrellas. They carry flags representing their organisations or protest signs. On a large screen beside the stage, the text reads: “HO! Kabinet sloopt hoger onderwijs” (‘STOP! The government is destroying higher education’). At the edge of the field, booths from various unions like FNV and AOb are set up.

“Are we fucking mad or not?” With these words, Amsterdam-based rapper Benjamin Fro kicks off the protest. The crowd cheers and dances to his music, raising their protest signs high. The atmosphere is friendly, almost festival-like.

Ellen van Schoten and Annelien Bredenoord, members of EUR’s Executive Board, are also present. Bredenoord holds a sign featuring the face of Erasmus with the caption ‘Don’t do it’. “The budget cuts aren’t just bad for higher education but for the whole Netherlands”, she says. Van Schoten adds: “The Netherlands is a knowledge-driven society that needs quality education and research to stay economically viable.” They hope for change. “That the education budget is voted down and these cuts are reversed”, Van Schoten says.

‘Stop the Eppocalypse!’

1:15 PM – The crowd is energised. It’s time for speeches by various organisers. Strong words echo across the field. “Eppo Bruins is a cold-hearted number-cruncher”, exclaims a speaker from the General Education Union (AOb) passionately into the microphone. “The slow-progress penalty is nothing but a crude moneymaking scheme for this cabinet. Disgraceful. This minister paints our students as slackers and squanderers.”

His colleague chimes in: “This government opposes equal opportunities and therefore opposes the Netherlands itself, because our society is in need of well-educated people. Minister Bruins, we don’t want your crocodile tears. We want you to repeal the tuition penalty. Scrap all these cuts. Or take a cue from your NSC colleagues and step down!”

The message is clear: you don’t cut funds for knowledge. “We’ll keep going if these plans aren’t taken off the table. And if needed, we’ll strike”, the speaker continues. The crowd chuckles at the closing line: “Stop the Eppocalypse!”

‘Books not bombs’

2:00 PM – The rain has stopped. Among the protesters are staff from Erasmus University, including administrators like dean Harriët Schelhaas and vice dean Maarten Verbrugh of the Erasmus School of Law.

“There are also people here from RSM, ESSB, and ESHCC”, says a staff from the Erasmus School of Health Policy and Management, pointing to her left, trying to peek through the crowd. Her colleague tirelessly waves a purple faculty flag. “I’m not sure how many of us are here, but the train was packed with our people”, she adds.

Ten meters away, the banner of the International Institute of Social Studies flutters in the wind. A staff member beats rhythmically on a drum. Her colleagues chant slogans in response: “Books not bombs!”

‘Bye bye with your fine!’

2:15 PM – After the speeches, the march toward the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science (OCW) begins. At the muddy back of the field, the Rotterdam student union STUUR is gearing up. Chair and sociology student Jasper Schut slaps a STUUR sticker on a megaphone. “We have to act against these measures ourselves because no one else will help us”, he says. Beside him, students chant slogans: “De groete met je boete!” (‘Bye bye with your fine’).

‘3000 euros? <em>Op je muil!'</em>

2:30 PM – The procession moves from the Malieveld, past the House of Representatives, and toward the ministry. At the front, a truck with an open bed blasts music as the organisers sing protest songs to the tune of Bella Ciao: “Say goodbye, say goodbye, say goodbye, bye, bye!”

‘Students’ struggle is class struggle’ is written on one of the students’ banners. They shout loudly: “3000 euros? Op je muil!”, referring to the fine for exceeding the study duration.

An international student asks curiously, “What does ‘op je muil’ mean?” Her Dutch friends laugh. “It’s a typical Rotterdam expression”, someone explains. “Literally, it means ‘in your face’, but it’s similar to saying ‘shove it up your ass.’”

‘Fight, fight, fight. Studying is a right!’

3:00 PM – Demonstrators pass by the ministry. The streets in front of the building are packed with protesters. Twelve police officers stand on guard. Slogans continue to echo through the streets.

The procession makes its way back to the Malieveld. At the ministry of Finance, employees watch curiously from behind the windows. One gives the protesters a thumbs-up. Jasper Schut, now with a hoarse voice, shouts through his megaphone: “Fight, fight, fight. Studying is a right!”

The students return to the Malieveld. What’s next? “More self organising”, says Schut. “The real fight has just begun. So yes, we have to do it ourselves. Once again, no one is going to do it for us.”