“The risks are not the underestimation. Safety has been put out of proceedings in an unacceptable way,” says lawyer Marjolein Heuten. The lawyer calls it ‘downright dangerous’. “165,000 people pass Schiphol on such a day. That is why those safety rules are, and they apply to everyone. Also for demonstrators.”
She emphasizes that if Schiphol is not allowed to maintain that the overall safety of the area undermines. “It must be clear at this location: whoever breaks the rules is confronted with measures.”
Group formation
According to the protesters with whom NH speaks in court, none of them were a threat. According to them, the demonstration was peaceful. “The worst thing could happen is that passengers could not drink coffee,” says campaigner Gert-Jan Mellink.
Some activists had a slightly different demonstration style. Two men and a woman took out their shirt to do their KLM with bare torso in the crown lounge. “With the scope: it is already warm enough here. A playful action, with some beach scoops and inflatable tires,” says campaigner Olax about that.
The woman was arrested immediately, but Olax and the other man were able to continue their demonstration for twenty minutes. “So in that respect it was successful.”