The flag of IJburger Richard Rijkhart: “Almost the only one here, not outside Amsterdam”

As a vegetarian, he only supports small farmers who produce vegetables in a nature-inclusive way. Large pig flats do not have to count on his support. “Farmers that work with pig flats and factory farming may be tackled. But it does not apply to the largest common denominator of the farmers.”

According to Rijkhart, the government lumps all farmers together and RIVM uses ‘wrong calculation models’. “I do not agree with the calculation models. RIVM always assumes the worst case scenario. I have no idea how they do that, but calculation models theoretically give more nitrogen emissions than in reality.

Drinking coffee on the Museumplein

According to Rijkhart, the wrong models were also used during the corona period. “They have always calculated with worst-case scenarios. Maybe the lockdown was not necessary at all and it did much more harm than necessary.”

Rijkhart was also present at the corona protests on Museumplein. “I went to drink coffee on the Museumplein.” But that was not appreciated because the police were ordered to intervene. If there’s a fight, I’m gone.”

He doesn’t know whether his flag will make the difference this time. “I hope so. I’m not the only one. Perhaps one of the few in Amsterdam. But not outside of that.” A new flag is in any case not necessary for him. “Now it is a Geuzen flag, I actually think that is even more powerful.”