Residential Revolt: Police Violence and Solidarity Protests

The 17 October 2021 Housing Riot in Rotterdam started off amiably. At 14:00, just under ten thousand protesters streamed into Afrikaanderpark, where we were addressed by several people. ‘Houses for people, not for profit’ was the motto of this Rotterdam Housing Uprising and was repeatedly shouted by everyone present. We too, a group of DWARSers from across the country, waved our placards and shouted along enthusiastically.

Photo description:This photo shows board members Jonathan, Hannah, Markus, Soraya, and Lieke. They are holding up protest signs. The first protest sign reads ” @Rutte&co: promotion of adequate housing is concern of government. Constitution article 22. The second sign reads “H = High, U = Utility, I = Investment, S = Strategy.” The third protest sign reads “Mark Rutte will find love before I find a house #kut life.” The last sign reads “Havensteder strong in pockets.”

Around a quarter to four we started the protest march towards Blaak with good spirits. When we arrived at the Erasmus Bridge, the atmosphere changed. We suddenly stood still and all wondered what was going on. Left and right, ME with their distinctive round signs ran around us. We were startled by this sudden turn of events and noticed that people around us were also getting restless and anxious.

Slowly, it became clear to us that the ME was surrounding a group of protesters to separate them from the march. This under the guise of ‘people might have objects with them’ (see photo).

Photo description: This is a screenshot of a conversation between a person and Police Rotterdam. A person asks: “Why is violence being used against protesters on the Erasmus Bridge? Why are people being detained?” Police respond, “Dear [delete] the only thing I can say about this at the moment is that we had received signals that a group was carrying objects, which you are not supposed to have with you at a demonstration. ^MPE”

According to several eyewitnesses, this action by the police and ME was deliberately placed this way. They were in fact walking along parallel to the group they were enclosing, with the aim of splitting the march in two. The police were escalating here, when they should actually be de-escalating. This action was clearly planned in advance.

Those with the alleged ‘objects’ were treated roughly, beaten overhead with truncheons, hit in places that were not their arms or legs, and bystanders and press were also treated roughly.

Wtf joh police brutality 1TP8Resurrection pic.twitter.com/SCgwwVthxt

- art tears🏴🏳️ (@art tears) October 17, 2021

These events led to a situation where hitherto unparalleled solidarity between different parties, organisations, and action groups became visible. Together, we called for the release of detained protesters (“Release them!”) and for solidarity (“What time is it? Solidarity!”).

However, unfortunately, not every group showed solidarity with the people who were beaten up by the ME and police for no legitimate reason. Thus, many of the parent parties, including our own, walked on. This is something we need to be critical of. Asking questions afterwards is a good start, but if GroenLinks had stayed with the group in solidarity it would have made a difference and sent a clear message to the police and Mayor Aboutaleb.

Where is the direct action of our parent party and other parent political parties? Where is their solidarity? Why play politics to stand up for the oppressed, but then leave peaceful protesters to excessive police brutality? GroenLinks, we missed you on our side.

Written by: Lieke van der Pol (secretary DWARS Rotterdam-Rijnmond)