In Nijmegen, an emergency ordinance will apply in and around the city center from 8 p.m. on Friday evening. Farmers Defense Force calls for farmer actions with agricultural vehicles during the week of the Vierdaagsefeesten and the Vierdaagse itself. The emergency ordinance in and around the center will run until 12:00 noon on Saturday 23 July.
An emergency ordinance will apply for the entire city of Nijmegen from 6 p.m. on Thursday 21 July due to a planned protest by Farmers Defense Force. They want to demonstrate with five hundred hikers as close as possible to the finish of the Four Days Marches. This emergency ordinance runs until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, July 22.
With an emergency ordinance, the authorities in a certain area can take stricter measures than what is allowed under ordinary law. For example, they can clear that place, close streets or prohibit gatherings.
The municipality has informed Farmers Defense Force that a demonstration at the finish with so many tractors in that place is physically impossible. “The Friday of the entry is the busiest time of the year and the St. Annastraat and the last piece to the finish at the Wedren are the busiest places in Nijmegen,” according to the municipality.
Municipalities are looking for other locations for farmers
The mayor of Nijmegen Hubert Bruls says that the decision to institute emergency ordinances has been difficult for him. “The Four Days Marches and Four Days Festivities stand for openness, togetherness and fraternization. To then have to deploy such a heavy administrative tool, that was a difficult decision. I have never had to do this before. I trust that everyone will appreciate the reasonableness of this. sees.”
Demonstrations with agricultural vehicles on the public road along the Four Days Marches are also undesirable, unfeasible and dangerous, according to the mayors of the municipalities through which the walking route runs. “It is possible to discuss smaller-scale expressions along the route or expressions elsewhere in the region,” according to the municipalities. They also informed FDF that they would look into possible alternatives.
A Farmers Defense Force spokesman said the group is still discussing the planned demonstrations, now that an emergency ordinance will be in effect in the city.
The Four Days Marches festivities start on Saturday and the Four Days Marches itself starts on Tuesday. The Four Days Marches ends Friday on St. Annastraat, Via Gladiola, just outside the center.
The organization looks according to de Volkskrant Sunday whether measures are also necessary due to the expected heat, and whether the starting day can continue. That depends on the current weather forecasts that the organization receives.