Thousands of protesters gather in Amsterdam to influence the formation of a new government

An endless sea of flags makes the stage on Dam Square difficult to see. Two large screens on either side of the stage offer some solace as a cheerful seven-piece band kicks off the strike of the education sector with The Beatles and Rappers Delight.

The turnout is high this Tuesday afternoon. The square is filled with thousands of students, teachers and education staff who have come to “make their mark on the coalition formation”. After all, they are not exactly satisfied with the previous government, which they often refer to as the “worst cabinet ever”.

We encounter some UU lecturers who emphasise that they are not only standing up for themselves. "I see that many colleagues are struggling with the amount of work they have to do," says Benjamin Hirschfeld. "It has been like this for a few years, but things have become much worse with these budget cuts."

Hirschfeld is a lecturer in the Department of History and Art History. He argues that the austerity measures are reducing the quality of Dutch education, as lecturers are less available to students and have less time to assess papers and essays.

According to him, colleagues with temporary contracts are disappearing due to the hiring freeze. "I also know some very good lecturers who can no longer find jobs elsewhere." In his view, this is not due to a lack of money. "Fossil fuel companies receive 40 billion in tax breaks, while this money could go to education." Hirschfeld believes that education is "getting the short end of the stick", which he finds "infuriating".

Rachel Gillet and Benjamin Hirschfeld, lecturers at the Faculty of Humanities

"Austerity measures are not the solution for the future," says Ben Sebregts, a third-year History student at Utrecht University. He also took part in the previous strikes and decided to come to Dam Square today after a few words of encouragement from his friends. He believes that there is a lot at stake for students, too. After all, austerity measures lead to more students per classroom, which is not good for anyone.

Fellow student Pepijn ter Veer agrees, emphasising "the importance of education", although the strike was also "a great opportunity to enjoy a day out in Amsterdam." Ter Veer finds today's strike meaningful: "It's important to make our mark on the formation of the new government right now."

The History student Ben Sebregts

Rachel Gillett, a colleague of Hirschfeld's, also teaches in the History and Art History department. "I believe in the future of the university, but we must fight for it," she says. When she was 19, she protested extensively in Australia to oppose increases in tuition fees. They lost that battle. "That's why I'm doing my best to preserve as much as possible now."

She has also noticed how high the workload is at the university. "People call in sick every day," she says. "Many colleagues suffer from anxiety and stress." In her view, the situation has been deteriorating every day. To turn the tide, she believes the sector must fight for more funding. "Investment is the most important thing for a better future."

Then, one of the most memorable moments of the protest happened: the demonstrators sang a modified version of Rob de Nijs' song Jan Klaassen, de Trompetter, changing the lyrics in the chorus to "Mr. Bontebal and Jetten, are you listening to our noise?". A call out to the party leaders of D66 and CDA, the two parties already in the cabinet.

Students from the Interdisciplinary Social Science programme on Dam Square.

Onstage, the representatives of FNV and AOb, the trade unions of the education sector, take the floor. Several action groups and local student unions also give speeches. "Don't forget about us," one of them says to the parties forming the coalition. "Not everything is about immigration, defence and housing."

Three politicians took to the stage as well. They are from the Socialist Party, GroenLinks-PvdA (an alliance between the Green Left and the Labour Party), and – yes – D66. The mistrust is palpable when the Member of Parliament Ilana Rooderkerk (D66) takes the floor. There are even a few boos.

The demonstrators only thaw a little when she says that D66 wants to invest in education and research. She then poses next to a sign brought by the organisers. It says: “We will reverse the budget cuts in higher education." 

The demonstrators' distrust is also due to the “militarisation” of higher education, as the speakers call it. Many speakers fear that the amount of money being allocated to defence will come at the expense of the public sector. The education sector must show solidarity with sectors like healthcare and public broadcasting, they warn. "Fewer bombs, more books!"

In one fell swoop, some activists start to chant "Free Palestine" and call for universities to sever ties with Israeli institutions, the fossil fuel industry and American tech companies. They also believe that universities should become more democratic. "We will choose your successors," one of them shouts as a message to higher education administrators.

Maaike Krom, chair of the National Student Union, is among the demonstrators, though she doesn't go onstage. She is "delighted" with the turnout and thinks that even more people could have shown up if everyone had been given a day off. "Some students simply weren't allowed to miss their classes!"

A long procession sets off after the speakers finish their speeches. Somewhere, a brass band is playing; further on, drums are beating; at the very front, loud dance music is blaring from the speakers. 

The march also passes the University of Amsterdam's Maagdenhuis building, which has been occupied regularly since the 1960s and remains intact. A group of demonstrators climbs the steps to the front door and waves flags, but that is all.