{"id":173423,"date":"2024-11-14T15:11:14","date_gmt":"2024-11-14T14:11:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=173423"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:27:35","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:27:35","slug":"student-union-students-skip-class","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2024\/11\/14\/student-union-students-skip-class\/","title":{"rendered":"Student union: \u2018Students, skip class!\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Dutch National Student Union LSVb is furious about the cancellation of the large demonstration in Utrecht and is calling for a strike. Protest group WOinActie also finds it incomprehensible that the demonstration will not go ahead.<\/p>\n

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An earlier demonstration in Utrecht against the budget cuts.<\/span><\/p>

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Thousands of people were expected to gather in Utrecht to protest against budget cuts of around one billion euros affecting students, higher education, and academic research. But the event has been called off.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis cancellation confirms that the Netherlands is caught in a severe, anti-democratic storm in which even fundamental issues like education cannot be protested against\u201d, the LSVb stated in a press release.<\/p>\n

Protest group WOinActie also expressed dismay. \u201cAll signs pointed to this being the largest demonstration in higher education ever,\u201d their statement read. \u201cThe right to protest is a fundamental right that must not be treated lightly.\u201d<\/p>\n

No explanation<\/h2>

Following strong advice from the mayor of Utrecht, unions AOb and FNV cancelled Wednesday afternoon\u2019s demonstration against the education budget cuts. Without the cancellation, the municipality would have issued a ban, citing concerns that safety could not be guaranteed due to the expected presence of violent pro-Palestinian demonstrators.<\/p>\n

The LSVb considers this reasoning too vague and is calling on students to strike. The union is exploring alternatives to the national demonstration, likely focusing on local actions, though details remain unclear. WOinActie is also working on a plan.<\/p>\n

Threat<\/h2>

Mayor Sharon Dijksma expressed regret that the demonstration could not go ahead. However, she highlighted the presence of individuals who, \u2018under the threat of violence\u2019, seek to deprive others of their freedom to express opinions. She said she is deeply concerned about this development.<\/p>\n

The LSVb appears sceptical of her explanation and is urging vigilance. Demonstrations must not be criminalised, and the right to protest must be safeguarded, the union argues. \u201cThe fact that this is not happening now is a particularly bad sign.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\t

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