Protest!

Today, classes were officially canceled for a protest. I took the forty-minute train ride to the Hague, joining Dutch students protesting university tuition hikes.

The Hague is the seat of the Dutch parliament and Royal Court. The protest was supposed to start in a field, across from the government headquarters at 1:00. By eleven, the trains were stuffed with students.

Students overflowed from the train station, winding in a enormous procession onto the field. Thousands, from as far away as Groningen (three hours north) attended. Portable toilets were set up. Stands sold food. Students blew into megaphones and on blue plastic whistles. I photographed banners, students, young and old, police on horses.The earth was soon dark and muddy from foot traffic. Police officers stood peacefully nearby.

A group of boys carried a large boom box onto the field. A thundering beat pulsed through the entire crowd, audible a ten-minute walk from the protestors. Dutch politicians spoke. A procession of teachers stood with studentes in solidarity. It was a thrill.

The tuition raise measures will be voted on in a few months; hopefully the protest will make a difference.