People have also gathered in the School of Business and Economics auditorium (about 70–80) and the Blauwe Zaal at Universiteitssingel 50 in Randwyck (around 50). The university’s board has spread across the three locations, with Rector Pamela Habibović present in the Turnzaal.
Protesters gather in the Turnzaal to watch the livestream
Mariëlle Wijermars, assistant professor Internet Governance at FASoS, notes, “It’s great to see so many people show up on such short notice. This shows that people want their voices heard.” She has been mobilizing colleagues and students for weeks to join the Utrecht protest. “These cuts are irresponsible. Our university is embedded in the region, and that connection is essential. With the push to reduce internationalization on top of these cuts, we’re being hit especially hard.”
Against perseverance
As the last attendees trickle in, picking up and pinning on a red square (the symbol of the action group WO in Actie) from a box at the entrance, FASoS dean Christine Neuhold welcomes everyone. “It’s good to see how flexible and engaged we are.”
The livestream starts shortly after 13.30 hrs. Speakers who were originally meant to address demonstrators at Dom Square in Utrecht have been invited by several parties to speak in the Thorbecke Hall in the House of Representatives. Thijs Roovers, Chair of the General Education Union (AOb), criticizes the new penalty for long-duration studies. “This cabinet is against perseverance, against those who strive forward, against equal opportunity.” Ingrid Robeyns, speaking for WO in Actie, calls on university administrators to engage in “administrative disobedience; do not implement these plans,” which elicits loud applause in the Turnzaal.
Right to protest
The speakers also express concerns about canceling the demonstration due to threats of violence. “This government is currently not upholding the right to protest in the Netherlands,” says Jens Bosman of the National Student Union, who emcees the event. A new demonstration is also announced: Monday, November 25th, at Malieveld in The Hague, when the education budget will be discussed in the House of Representatives.
Group picture at FASoS
The livestream concludes with the singing of a specially written protest song set to the melody of Bella Ciao. In the Turnzaal, the lyrics “Say goodbye, say goodbye, say goodbye, bye, bye / To seven thousand teachers / Because you’re laying them off” resonate. After a group photo, everyone prepares to head to the Vrijthof.
Momentum
“These cuts make no sense; it shows how short-sighted this government is,” says Ukrainian philosophy student Mykhaylo, who prefers not to share his last name. He also finds it troubling that the Utrecht demonstration couldn’t proceed. “In Ukraine, we have a long tradition of large protests. But before Ukraine chose a democratic and more liberal government in 2014, demonstrations were regularly cancelled for vague reasons. Here too, we haven’t received clear details. When the mayor of Utrecht says, ‘You can come, but we can’t guarantee your safety,’ it sounds like a threat.” He emphasizes the importance of maintaining momentum. “This will be a long-haul fight.”
Equal Opportunity
Signs and banners at the demonstration
Iris Burks, chair of the UM student guidance network, hopes that the cancellation only motivates people more to go to The Hague on November 25th. The penalty for long-duration studies concerns her deeply, she explains at the Vrijthof. “This penalty will severely damage equal opportunities among students. I see so many students who, each for their own unique reason, take a bit longer to finish their studies. Did you know that in English, there’s no term for ‘nominal studying’? That says something about the pressures in our education system.”
All UM members – including the university board in matching blue hoodies – have gathered in the square by now. The program is short: a few speakers, another rendition of Bella Ciao, and after several chants of “Hey hey, ho ho, Eppo needs to go,” the group disperses.