Protest action against violent incidents

17 / 12 / 2024 | Jari Dokter

In response to a number of violent incidents on campus, a group of demonstrators held a protest march on Wednesday afternoon. The activists want to make it clear that there is no room for violence, racism and discrimination at the University of Twente.

The action – both a protest and a statement of support – started with a speech on the athletics track. One of the speakers and initiators is Wouter Trieling, a graduate student of ATLAS. 'There is no place for racism at the university or in our society at all. That is why we are making ourselves heard today.' According to Trieling, the march offers support to victims of racism or discrimination. 'We get positive reactions from victims. It gives space to share stories, even if it is anonymous. The bottom line is that racism has never gone away.'

The slogans

In the meantime, the march will leave via the Sports Centre to the O&O square. To reinforce the statement, there are several 'protest elements' present: banners and flyers. In the lead, someone takes the lead in chanting various slogans. Through the megaphone sounds: 'Say it loud, say it clear: we don't want no racists here! Refugees are welcome here!' or 'Hey, hey ho, ho racism has got to go!'.

Awareness and solidarity

The march comes to a halt from time to time. This is happening, among other things, at the Drienerburght building. An attack on Kishore Sivakumar took place at this location in November. The UT lecturer and PhD student is present at the protest himself. He takes the megaphone in his hand and speaks to everyone. "I am here today to share my story and to show solidarity. It is important that everyone feels safe on campus. That's why I'm happy to see that we are coming together.' Sivakumar – who is from India – indicates that this action creates awareness and a platform. 'What is happening today creates more solidarity and a safer feeling.’

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Protestactie tegen gewelddadige incidenten

Naar aanleiding van een aantal gewelddadige incidenten op de campus, hield een groep demonstranten woensdagmiddag een protestmars. De actievoerders willen duidelijk maken dat voor geweld, racisme en discriminatie geen ruimte is op de Universiteit Twente.

Protest action against violent incidents

In response to a number of violent incidents on campus, a group of demonstrators held a protest march on Wednesday afternoon. The activists want to make it clear that there is no room for violence, racism and discrimination at the University of Twente.

Twente for Protest gaat bij Ei van Ko demonstreren

De Twente for Protest-actiegroep zet nog één keer alle zeilen bij om een statement te maken tegen de bezuinigingen in het onderwijs. De groep roept op om woensdagmiddag om 13.00 uur te protesteren voor het stadhuis in Enschede.

Twente for Protest is going to demonstrate at Ei van Ko

The Twente for Protest action group is pulling out all the stops one more time to make a statement against the cuts in education. The group calls for a protest in front of the city hall in Enschede on Wednesday afternoon at 13:00.

‘Als Eppo niet luistert, moeten we ervoor zorgen dat hij luistert’

Het is de ‘day after’ na een bewogen protestdag op het Malieveld in Den Haag. Naar schatting demonstreerden twintigduizend mensen tegen de bezuinigingen in het onderwijs. ‘Alles rond dit protest kostte pijn en moeite, maar dit was het allemaal waard’, zegt Kristy Claassen, een van de initiatiefnemers van 'Twente for Protest'.

'If Eppo doesn't listen, we have to make sure he listens'

It is the 'day after' after an eventful day of protest on the Malieveld in The Hague. An estimated twenty thousand people demonstrated against the cuts in education. 'The turnout is far above my expectations. Everything around this protest cost pain and effort, but it was all worth it', says Kristy Claassen, one of the initiators of 'Twente for Protest'.

Bruins houdt vol: 'We gaan bezuinigen'

De dreigementen van de oppositie en de vele duizenden demonstranten in Den Haag maken vooralsnog weinig indruk op onderwijsminister Eppo Bruins. ‘De realiteit is dat wij als kabinet andere keuzes hebben gemaakt.’

Bruins insists: 'We are going to cut back'

The threats of the opposition and the many thousands of demonstrators in The Hague have so far made little impression on Education Minister Eppo Bruins. 'The reality is that we as a cabinet have made different choices.'