Demonstrating isn't really my thing. My last participation in a protest dates back to early 2011 against, yes indeed, the extended study duration fine. Wearing our academic gowns, we walked around the Hofvijver. It's hard to say whether it helped: the fine was still implemented, but a year later was immediately abolished by the next cabinet.
The proposed budget cuts this time are considerably more drastic. Plenty of reasons to express concern. Yet I found it difficult: with everything happening in the world and the choices our government thinks it needs to make, is this the demonstration you can't miss? Moreover, I don't really feel the "need for a valve", as Mayor Halsema characterises the right to protest. Contributions like those from the BBB education spokesperson during Tuesday evening's debate (see also "Even tot hier" from 30 November) leave me more stunned with bewilderment, or at most slightly uncomfortable laughter.
Still, I'm glad I could stand at the Malieveld on Monday 25 November. Yes, it feels good to make your voice heard together, even if with more than 20,000 predominantly (almost) higher educated people it doesn't reach much further than the rather generic "Don't. Do. It". The cosiness of the fantastically steaming chip van, the school trip feeling including practising songs on the bus, the hilarious illusion of being in a Monty Python sketch, the pride in the large presence of Nijmegen colleagues and students on stage and in the crowd. It's probably not what the excellent organisation had in mind, for which apologies, but it made the day a special experience.
All the greater the disillusion now, over two weeks later, with a compromise between coalition and opposition just before voting is due to take place. The minister, during the demonstration primarily the target and most inspiring for creative slogans ("eppo-calyptic"), was further devalued from a puppet to a ghost. The political parties who were on stage yelling along were quickly played out. The parties still negotiating mainly went for their own hobby horses. Certainly, as it appears now on the eve of 12 December, the ill-fated idea of the extended study duration fine is off the table and scientific research gets a small consolation prize. Otherwise, the main hope remains for a scenario like 14 years ago: a new government as soon as possible that reasons less from gut feeling and more from a heart for research and education and common sense. And hope is allowed, because it's almost Christmas. Happy holidays!
