The cabinet finds the demonstration that a group of farmers held last Friday in front of the home of VVD minister Van der Wal is not acceptable. That said State Secretary Van der Burg of Justice and Security in the House of Representatives.
There are many questions about the intimidating effect of certain protest actions by farmers, such as that of Voll Gas van Friday and earlier that of Farmers Defense Force. A large part of the Chamber immediately took distance from. Another large demonstration has been announced in The Hague for Wednesday 22 June.
D66 MP Paternotte thinks it is becoming too normal for ministers – and their partners and children – to have to deal with citizens at home who do not agree with government policy. “How could this happen on Friday?”, he wanted to know from the state secretary. After all, it was known that the cabinet would come up with controversial nitrogen plans that day.
State Secretary Van der Burg repeated that the police did not see the protest action coming and that no criminal offenses were found once on site. “But we all experience this demonstration as intimidating. That is unacceptable. Everyone has the right to demonstrate, but do so in an orderly manner.”
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