State Secretary Claudia van Bruggen (Justice and Security, D66) became unwell this afternoon during the memorial meeting at the Wall against Violence in the Neighborhood. Van Bruggen announced via her social media channels that she was ‘momentarily overcome by the heat’.
The State Secretary was in Drenthe today to give a speech during the annual ceremony in De Wijk, where new nameplates were added to the Wall against Violence. After the speech, she missed a subsequent lunch.
Van Bruggen left with her own driver, an ambulance was not necessary. “Fortunately, I am now doing well again,” she continues.
One of the now 218 names on the Wall Against Violence belongs to Cas Steenbergen, who became a victim of senseless violence in Veeningen almost four years ago. He cycled at night past the place where he is now commemorated, while it is still not clear what exactly happened that night. A suspect was once arrested who was allegedly involved in an assault earlier that evening, but investigation could not confirm that this led to Steenbergen’s death.
“No one asks to become a victim of violence,” said State Secretary Van Bruggen about the names that were commemorated today. “It shows me how important it is to commemorate. How important it is to be with each other and to be able to support each other.” Her thoughts go out to all relatives. “Their grief, their memories and the names of their loved ones were central today.”
