Former climate mayor Trees Lammers was wrongly sent away during her one-man action for Hilversum station on Monday morning. After a short occupation at the town hall and a conversation with a municipal official, it is clear today that, because she was alone, it was not a demonstration on paper. That’s why she didn’t need a permit.
On Monday morning, Trees, who was standing alone in front of the station demonstrating for the climate, was quickly sent away by three agents. Her plan was to stand there all day from sunrise to sunset. On Monday she received a receipt and her plates and flags were taken. She was only allowed to keep her naked mannequin named Dolle Mina.
According to the agents, she needed a permit for this action. “Of course, the last word was not said about this,” she said right away. Because she doesn’t need a permit at all for this one-man action, because she was on her own. “My right to demonstrate has been trampled underfoot.”
Get story
Because the officers said that they had been in contact with the municipality, the 64-year-old Trees decided to get a story in the town hall. After a brief occupation of the reception hall, she spoke to an official. “It was a very nice conversation with the employee of the municipality,” says Trees.
“I’m just going to finish my action and I’ll be back tomorrow”
In conversation with this official it became clear that the contact between the police and the municipality on that Monday morning was about whether this was a demonstration. “Since she was alone, it was not a demonstration and then the municipality has nothing more to say about it,” said a spokesperson for the municipality of Hilversum.
Naked woman
“The police came to a report that a naked woman was at the station,” says Trees. This was ultimately about her mannequin. “And apparently they thought I was causing a nuisance and sent me away.” There was little nuisance, as Trees sat alone with Dolle Mina and her signs and flags in front of the station.
Now that this is all behind her, she is determined to take her place in front of Hilversum station again. “I’m just going to finish my action and I’ll be back tomorrow,” says the determined Trees.