Thousands of climate protesters joined a march through the center of Rotterdam on Sunday afternoon. The climate protest went without incident, the police speak of “a beautiful day”.
According to an estimate by the organization there were about ten thousand demonstrators. The municipality assumed in advance 25,000 attendees. About 40,000 people took part in climate marches in Amsterdam in November last year and in March 2019.
The police did not have to make any arrests around the march, a spokesperson told NU.nl. “Today was an example of how it should be done.”
The organizers were also satisfied with the progress of the march. “For Rotterdam, a low-lying coastal city, this is the highest turnout ever for a climate demonstration,” said Vatan Hüzeir, spokesperson for the Climate Crisis Coalition. This coalition includes Greenpeace, Oxfam Novib, trade union FNV, Extinction Rebellion, Milieudefensie and Fridays for Future.
After a short podium program on the square in front of the Markthal, the climate protesters started their tour through the center of the Maasstad around 1.45 pm. With flags, speeches, banners and signs, the demonstrators drew attention to, among other things, a better climate policy and a greener lifestyle.
Traffic wardens and the police stopped traffic to allow the procession to pass. The route went via Blaak, Coolsingel and Hofplein and ended about two hours later at the starting point. The day ended there with speakers and music. Because it started to rain, many participants quickly went home, according to the police.