Vlaggenprotest tegen verbod op vreugdevuur in Floradorp

For several days now, protest flags have been displayed in various locations in the Floradorp neighborhood in Noord. The flags feature a photo of the large bonfire we know from New Year's Eve, along with texts like "Amsterdam on fire" and "the fire that burns in the heart of the Floradorpers." The municipality has banned the bonfire this coming New Year's Eve because the fire department considers it unsafe. With the flags, bonfire enthusiasts want to express their disagreement with this decision. A sign with the flag is displayed not only on the facades but also in the field where the bonfire usually takes place. It is visible from all approach roads. "This is simply a peaceful protest, conceived by peace-loving people," says Patrick van Bronswijk of the Flora4Life foundation, the organizer of the bonfire. It's a tradition that has existed for over seventy years, but there will be no bonfire this year. The municipality no longer wants to permit the bonfire because the fire department considers it too unsafe. To the residents' great disappointment. That's why John de Jong, secretary of the Flora4Life foundation, came up with the idea for the flag campaign. "I think there are already about fifty of them hanging in the village," he says proudly. "And there have been more requests. There's one outside the village too, even in Purmerend. In De Banne, Almere, they're literally everywhere. I think that's fantastic." In this case, it's a peaceful protest, but it wasn't always peaceful in Floradorp. The residents' evening, organized at the end of September to discuss banning bonfires with the mayor, police, and fire department, was heated. The evening was marred by verbal abuse and threats against Mayor Halsema. A meeting never materialized. When asked if Van Bronswijk feels responsible for what happened that evening, he replies: "In principle, it was a conversation between the triangle and the residents. Completely outside the Flora4Life foundation's involvement. So we were there as residents, not on behalf of the foundation. We don't have a permit this year, and there's no collaboration. So, responsibility? I'm not responsible for what anyone else does or says. Even if I sometimes wanted to, that's not how society works." The foundation can't yet say whether the flags reveal anything about what New Year's Eve will look like. ❌ ❌ ❌ AT5 - Echt Amsterdams Nieuws Subscribe to our YouTube channel here:    / at5   Tips or comments? WhatsApp: 06 511 909 38 Phone: 020 555 1155 Follow AT5: www.at5.nl Instagram: instagram.com/at5.nl Facebook: facebook.com/at5nl Twitter: twitter.com/at5