The temporary removal of the flags in and around Nijeveen is done ‘purely’ out of respect for the victims, while commemorating the war commemorations of 15 August. So says Arno Ten Hoorn Boer, one of the protesting farmers from that place.
“In fact, nothing has changed about our protest, and in any case has not been weakened,” reports the activist. “Especially after the talks with Johan Remkes”, he refers to LTO Nederland, which sat down with the nitrogen broker on behalf of farmers’ organisations. “We will also hang the flags again, as long as there are no concessions from The Hague.”
Due to the government’s nitrogen plans, dozens of reversed Dutch flags were hung in the municipality of Meppel, including on municipal property such as street lamps. Ten Hoorn Boer did this together with fellow farmers in Nijeveen.
Last week, the municipality announced that it would remove the inverted flags from municipal properties. Ten Hoorn Boer was invited by Mayor Korteland to discuss this, because the farmers asked questions about that decision.
Finally, the date of August 15 was set – no later than that the flags in the municipality must be gone. This is because the end of the Second World War is commemorated and all victims of the Japanese occupation of the former colony of the Dutch East Indies are commemorated.
The consultation with mayor Korteland was positive, reports Ten Hoorn Boer. “He indicated that complaints had come in, and they want the flags removed before August 15.” After that date – from August 18 – they can return, but only in Nijeveen, it was decided at the table with Korteland.
The flags that hang outside the village, for example in the city of Meppel, will also be removed before August 15th. It is unknown whether they will also be allowed to return.
“We have an agreement with the mayor,” said Ten Hoorn Boer. “We don’t know anything about what other groups do. Maybe they can hang the flags again when they start consultations.”