A tractor with banner, Dutch flags and more than three hundred people gather on Tuesday evening in front of the town hall in Heemskerk. They show their voice against the possible arrival of an asylum seekers center in Heemskerk/Uitgeest.
A mixed company of young and old trickles the square against the clock of seven. The announced silent, peaceful protest seems to make his promise come true.
7.55 pm: Open the doors of the town hall. The crowd flows in, but there is no place for everyone in the council chamber. A small delegation finds a seat. “The room is full”, a security guard shouts. To which demonstrators fiercely recall: “Heemskerk is full!”
8:00 pm. The tone is set. Dutch flags are pressed against the windows, hoping that the AZC theme is on the agenda. The meeting starts, but the chairman immediately makes it clear that there will be no extensive discussion. Boegoep and swearing words sound from the audience.
Angry about half of those present runs away. When closing the doors, the choir still sounds: “Get rid of AZC.” For a moment the atmosphere seems to be, but the situation is quickly calm.
‘You are also invited to the next meeting’
The council goes in consultation, shouldn’t something be said? In the end, the group chairmen thank the protesters for their orderly protest. “I am happy with the involvement, it may have ensured that we take the worries even more seriously,” says Eus Hes of the PvdA.
Alex den Haan van Liberaal Heemskerk also encourages visitors to continue to show their involvement: “You are also cordially invited to subsequent council meetings. Then you will notice that we are often talking about the AZC.” Whether the dozens of people outside the room hear the comments is highly the question.
There is visibility for the demonstrators, and let them know that there are great worries the goal of tonight. Somewhat frustrated, a woman tells her story: “My husband is Turkish. He grew up here, has the Dutch norms and values and he is looked at on this.”
“Get rid of those foreigners,” is also shouting here. “I find that difficult when that is said. You are looked at crooked. At the same time I also think something: I am also worried,” says her husband.
Safety
Everyone seems to have the same worries: about safety, housing shortage, and the question of who will end up in an AZC. “Only real refugees, no scum,” it sounds summarizing.
The speakers tell their story in the council chamber. First someone before a local AZC for refugees really need it. And then two people who think that an AZC will endanger their safety too much. “If there are incidents, we will hold you, the city council, responsible,” says the last one.
In the meantime, a torch is lit outside. For a moment young people seem to hijack the evening. Out on unrest. But a somewhat older man knows how to calm the boys.
It is 8.30 pm, the energy is out. While the city council continues to meet on completely different topics, most of the public goes home.