In a Manifesto for the Free Word About ninety Dutch and Flemish academics, opinion makers and politicians turn against what they call: the checkout culture. The authors believe that action groups such as Black Lives Matter create social divisions.
The manifesto was written by scientists Bart Collard and Raisa Blommestijn. The list of signatories includes various names, including Ayaan Hirsi Ali, professor of legal philosophy Andreas Kinneging, former chairman of Amnesty International Willy Laes and singer Marga Bult. FvD leader Thierry Baudet and journalist Arnold Karskens also signed the manifesto.
Personal title
The free word, they say, is under pressure from “the intimidating action of radical activists.” “For the least or least you are called racist or extreme right,” says lawyer and philosopher Blommestijn (26) in De Telegraaf.
With the manifest, the initiators say they want to reach everyone: from left to right. Blommestijn: “We also do not act as a collective. Everyone signs in a personal capacity.”
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