Image: NOS
In a powerful display of solidarity, thousands of people gathered at the Homomonument in Amsterdam on Tuesday evening to commemorate the victims of the terrorist attack at Berlin Pride, reports NOS.
The gathering began at 8 PM with a minute of silence to honor the Polish woman who was killed and the 29 others injured when a driver intentionally drove a van into the crowd on Saturday. Attendees lit candles and laid flowers, with rainbow flags visible throughout the crowd in a quiet but firm show of community strength.
A Message of Resilience
Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema addressed the crowd, describing Berlin as a "city of freedom" and the attack as an assault on everything it represents. She praised the courage and resilience of the queer community, urging them not to lose hope. "We will win if we continue to express hope loudly and clearly," Halsema stated.
The sentiment was echoed by two Dutch-German influencers who were present during the attack in Berlin. They spoke of their deep sadness and hurt but delivered a resolute message. "Fear and hate will not stop us," they declared. "We will celebrate Pride."
For many, attending was an important act of visibility. One woman told news agency ANP that while she felt nervous being in a large crowd after the attack, she came because she felt it was crucial for the community to show up and be seen.
Solidarity Across Europe
The Amsterdam event was one of several held in response to the attack. In Arnhem, people gathered at the city hall, which was illuminated in rainbow colors. Deputy Mayor David de Vries spoke about the insidious nature of hate, noting that it often starts with small acts. "It begins small, but if it is accepted, it leads to worse forms of exclusion... like taking someone's life," he said.
In Berlin itself, more than 24 ambassadors, including those from the Netherlands and the UK, gathered at the Brandenburg Gate to show their support for the victims and the LGBTQ+ community. Further commemorations are planned, including a gathering at Utrecht's Domplein on Wednesday evening.
Security in Focus for WorldPride
The attack has cast a shadow over the start of WorldPride in Amsterdam, the largest LGBTQ+ event in the city's history. Mayor Halsema has confirmed that extra security measures will be implemented for the duration of the festival, including for the famous Canal Parade on Saturday. For security reasons, specific details about these measures have not been made public.
German authorities are treating the Berlin attack as an act of Islamist terrorism. The 21-year-old suspect, who was killed by police after fleeing the scene, reportedly recorded a video shortly before the attack in which he pledged allegiance to the terror group IS.
