Thousands protest racism, rise of the right in the Netherlands, France

Thousands protested in Amsterdam, Paris and Toulouse against the backdrop of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

More than 10,000 people gathered in Dam Square in the Dutch capital, Amsterdam, to participate in a massive protest against racism, fascism and far-right policies on Saturday.

The demonstration – organised by Comité 21 Maart – an anti-racism association – came one day after the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, observed annually on 21 March since its 1966 declaration by the United Nations.

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

Protesters held signs reading “Never Again” as they warned against the rise of the far-right across Europe, drawing memory to the early 20th century when fascism rose to prominence. The theme of fascism was added this year to the annual rally.

Protesters also waved flags in support of Palestine, after Israel’s recent resumption of fighting in Gaza which has claimed the lives of close to 50,000 people in the enclave, across 15-months of fighting with Hamas.

Turkish flags were also waved in solidarity with Turkish protesters demonstrating in Istanbul and other major cities against the arrest of Istanbul Mayor and key opposition figure to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Ekrem Imamoglu.

Protesters voiced their opposition and expressed concern at their domestic governance, after the Dutch government veered sharply to the right last year when four right-wing parties agreed to form a coalition.

“We see that there is a greater growth of radical far right, that racist expressions are on the rise. And if you look at the United States, of course a lot of bad things are happening there,” said a woman participating in the protest.

“I’m here today because of my growing concern about what’s happening all over the world. Racism is rising, fascism is rising. So I thought, what can I do?” said another protester.

The demonstration in the Netherlands was peaceful. An official spokesperson reported that no arrests were carried out during the rally.

Protests also took place across France. The French Interior Ministry announced that nearly 91,000 people took part in nationwide demonstrations calling for an end to racism and discriminate policies.

The largest protest took place in the capital, Paris, attracting more than 21,000 people. Demonstrators rallied to raise awareness to what they called an environment that fosters and accommodates hate speech and extremism.

Protesters voiced their rejection of far-right parties amid the rightward shift in French politics and the government’s recent pledge to crackdown on immigration and beef up border controls.

Protesters clashed with police in the French capital, where riot police units were deployed to preserve the peace and quell any unrest.

Two people were arrested and three others were injured – including a riot police officer – during the clashes, according to the French Interior Ministry.

Participants protested against the plight of the Palestinian people, holding placards accusing French President Emmanuel Macron of complicity in what they labelled as an unfolding genocide.

Similar protests also took place in the cities of Lyon and Toulouse.

The day was established by the United Nations to commemorate the victims of the Sharpeville Massacre in South Africa in 1960 after police forces opened fire on peaceful demonstrators opposing apartheid-era laws, killing close 69 people.

Since then, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has served as a global call to fight against discriminatory and divisive politics and promote equality. Events and demonstrations are held in major capitals across the world annually to raise awareness and advocate for change.