UNL president Caspar van den Berg: "It is an incredible bummer for the thousands of people who want to make their voices heard against these disastrous cuts to education and science. Of course, I fully understand the advice of the local authorities and the decision of the organisers. The safety of the protesters, our students and staff, is paramount. It is particularly sour that - as we understand it, a small group of people who do not shy away from violence - is taking away the opportunity to demonstrate for thousands of students and staff."
President of Radboud University's executive board Daniel Wigboldus: "While I understand that the demonstration cannot go ahead under the current circumstances, it is also very unfortunate. Because the message that research and education are the basis for the future of the Netherlands remains."
Safety cannot be guaranteed
A letter from the mayor revealed that the Utrecht local authorities had received information indicating that a pro-Palestine organisation from outside Utrecht intended to hijack the demonstration, with violence not being shunned. Because security could not be guaranteed, the authorities advised the organisers not to allow the demonstration to go ahead. The organisers accepted that advice. Otherwise, the demonstration would have to be banned by the mayor of Utrecht.
Dramatic impact of education and science cuts
The demonstration in Utrecht would attract thousands of people. After a march through the city, several speakers on Domplein would address the crowd about the disastrous consequences of the cabinet's cuts. Namely, the cabinet is cutting €1 billion a year from higher education and science. Van den Berg: "Because of these cuts, the quality of education is in danger of dropping sharply, groundbreaking research is disappearing from the Netherlands and universities can contribute less to solving the major social issues of our time. We are considering other ways to oppose the cuts."