Normally Paulien van der Veer (43) does not openly interfere with the social debate. But the descendant of a ‘great Christian family’ thinks she should now open her mouth.
The plans of the municipality of Zwolle for a new asylum seekers center (AZC) to be built for 400 people in the new neighborhood De Tippe are also falling in the wrong way with her. ,, I have three children there at the Christian school. That asylum shelter comes right in return. Of course we are worried as parents, just like so many other residents of the neighborhood. All ordinary, normal citizens. Why ‘Extremists’? ”
Zwolle mayor after the green light for AZC: Wilders can take an example of us
The latter image – they are radicals that oppose the AZC – was created by the much -discussed arrival of Geert Wilders, on the evening that the city council agreed to the AZC location. According to Mayor Peter Snijders (VVD), the PVV leader was guilty of ‘incitement’ and undermined the rule of law on the spot.
Voting of drivers
Colleague drivers came to the rescue of Snijders and also denounced the actions of Wilders, which had clearly traveled to Zwolle in campaign mode. “Undermining the local administration,” it sounded unison, and: “Wilders Hitst Burgers on”.
That is the mood -making of those administrators, judges David Hoekman (30), who opposed the AZC and invited Wilders. ,, Wilders has the right to appear here, the mayor is not about that. And why is it exciting when he expresses the worries of a lot of citizens and supports us? He says whatever we think. “
City Council Zwolle agrees to AZC for 400 asylum seekers
What critics such as Hoekman, Van der Veer and many others put is that the municipality in their eyes has fallen seriously short of communication. Hoekman: ,, Zwolle shows off with the Hanza! Method, which promises transparency and clear communication. Well, we were not allowed to talk about the location at all. Then the city council can agree to that asylum reception with the vast majority, we think the decision is undemocratic. “
Municipality: ‘Indeed, no participation’
The residents were indeed not allowed to ‘participate’ in the determination of the location in De Tippe, the municipality confirms. “If you want everyone to have a shelter location, there will be no location,” said a spokesperson.
,, We have an assignment from the minister to look for space for the permanent care of around 600 refugees, spread over two or three locations. After an internal exploration, this location came to all points as suitable. It was consciously decided not to share the location with the environment in advance. We understand that residents feel this as a robbery and would have wanted to talk. “
Council members during the votes in the Statenzaal of the Provinciehuis, where the location for the AZC was established. © ANP
“Unlikely,” many people from Zwolle think this course of events. Almost six thousand people have already signed a protest retention, which was set up by David Hoekman. “The municipality has completely put the open dialogue aside,” notes Hoekman.
Paulien van der Veer: ,, In the meantime, mothers tell me that they are awake all nights because of all the worries about that AZC. Some parents now register their children at other schools. And from politics we are literally told that we can “learn a lot from dealing with refugees.” I have always voted ChristenUnie, but no more. She, too, does not involve us in decision -making, but in my opinion norms and values also means: letting citizens participate. ”
Grim atmosphere in Uden to arrive azc, me intervenes
Although the entire city council – except for the local party Swollwacht – agreed to the reception location, David Hoekman is investigating with others whether legal steps can be taken against the municipality. ,, Elsewhere, the decision to establish an AZC is reversed. Why is that not possible in Zwolle? In any case, we will point out that lack of participation. “
According to Hoekman, the fact that the troubled citizens are put down by some as ‘racist PVV people’ makes no sense. ,, We are talking about ordinary, hard -working, tax -paying citizens, including Turkish and Moroccan descent, who have no harm in the sense. The term ‘racist’ is removed far too quickly in this country. We are not against the reception of refugees, not at all, but we are so close to schools and at a location where people have paid a lot of money for an owner -occupied home. When those buyers registered, it was not mentioned that 400 asylum seekers, mainly men, also came to live in their neighborhood. Isn’t that possible? ”
The location where the center must be built. © Frans Paalman
“With those protests you not only saw fat guys with sunglasses and tattoos, as many media want to believe the public,” adds Paulien van der Veer. “I was there, my neighbors were there, other parents were there. This whole course of events feels at all. At all feels good. The VVD is now arguing for a police post in the neighborhood. Why is that suddenly necessary?”
After the summer in conversation
After the summer, the municipality wants to talk to the neighborhood residents, according to the spokesperson. ,, After the summer we will talk to the environment about the worries and points of attention and what is needed to make a livable and safe daycare for everyone. There is plenty of room for the neighborhood to think about how. “
Paulien van der Veer: ,, As far as we are concerned, this was all talked afterwards. We don’t see the whole plan. ” David Hoekman: “That’s not how it works.