Today the meter-high straw doll along the A1 near Eemnes was demolished. The doll was the symbol of the farmers’ protests in the region. The province has instructed the owner, Pieter Seldenrijk, to take it down. He didn’t want to do that until today, but after the election victory of the BBB, Seldenrijk demolished the doll today. “You can’t keep protesting forever, the people have spoken and now it’s up to politicians to make the right choices,” says agricultural entrepreneur Pieter Seldenrijk.
Farmer’s protest symbol demolished – NH News
breakdown
Three tractors, a crane and some manpower were needed to bring down the nine meter high straw doll. “A crane must be installed for the head, because it is life-threatening if we do it ourselves,” says Seldenrijk. He really doesn’t like to take the thing away. “The doll has been there since Prinsjesdag, it has to go, but that hurts a bit.”
Two weeks before the provincial elections, the agricultural entrepreneur already received a letter from the province. In it they requested him to take down the straw doll as soon as possible. “Not really! We won’t let ourselves be pushed aside that easily”, was Seldenrijk’s reaction in one earlier interview with NH Gooi Radio.
Straw doll Eemnes
Stropop demolished at Eemnes
Stropop demolished at Eemnes
Stropop demolished at Eemnes
Stropop demolished at Eemnes
Stropop demolished at Eemnes
Pieter Seldenrijk and his protest dummy
Pieter Seldenrijk and his protest dummy
Straw doll at Eemnes
Victory BBB
After the BBB’s monstrous victory in the Provincial Council elections, Seldenrijk’s protests became increasingly milder. The straw doll got a smile, the inverted flags were removed or hung normally and now the straw doll has been broken off. “A signal has been issued by the Netherlands, I expect that the cabinet will now have to make a policy change.” The nitrogen policy in particular is a major pain point for Seldenrijk: “We want to do something for nature, but also give us time to be able to make those changes.”
“If necessary, we can build a new doll in no time.”
Parting
The straw doll stood in Pieter Seldenrijk’s backyard for more than half a year. He therefore has mixed feelings about removing his straw doll: “It is an eye-catcher, also for yourself. Every time I drive past it, I still start to smile.” He didn’t really say goodbye, “let’s be honest, we will have new straw again in July and August, so if necessary we can build a new doll again,” says Pieter Seldenrijk.
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