Hundreds of thousands of people at Amsterdam's Canal Parade
(AMSTERDAM) The Canal Parade, the parade of boats carrying LGBTQ+ people celebrating, is in full swing in Amsterdam. The quays are also packed with partygoers.Eighty boats are participating in this year's parade for LGBTQ+ organizations. They will sail from Oosterdok via Nieuwe Herengracht, the Amstel, and Prinsengracht to Westerdok.
The travel booking platform is on a UN "blacklist," according to human rights organization The Right Forum, because it rents out accommodations in illegal Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory.
Police arrested two protesters for disturbing public order by jumping into the water near the Booking.com boat, two for public violence, and one for vandalism.
The Canal Parade is the highlight of Pride Amsterdam. Every year, the event attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors decked out in pink, glitter, and rainbow colors. The first boats set off on the festive boat trip at 12:00 p.m. (CEST). The rain had cleared just in time for a sunny start to the festivities.
Several organizations participating in the parade are using the event to convey a political message. For example, Amnesty International has signs along the route with messages like "Boo for Booking.com, 'sponsor of apartheid.'"
Several passengers also mocked US President Trump. And the COC (Dutch LGBTQ+ organization) is urging voters to vote for a party that prioritizes LGBTQ+ rights in the Dutch elections in October. "The freedom and human rights we celebrate with Pride are partly determined by the parliamentary elections," the advocacy group states.
The seniors' boat experienced engine problems this morning, according to Amsterdam broadcaster AT5. It is unclear whether it ultimately departed.
The boat belonging to luxury gym Saints & Stars is missing from the parade. The gym has been under fire following reports of cleaners being exploited. Instead of Saint & Stars, LGBT Asylum Support, a foundation that advocates for queer asylum seekers, is participating.
(Source: NOS.nl)
HIGHLIGHTS FROM TODAY'S NEWS IN THE NETHERLANDS IN BRIEF
- Explosion at Delft asylum seekers' center, part of facade blown off
No one was injured in the explosion, according to a police spokesperson. Residents of the damaged section are being accommodated elsewhere.
Just after 8:00 a.m. (CEST), police received a report of the explosion in the building on Kleveringweg. This emergency shelter has room for 170 people. Several emergency services responded to the report.
Police are investigating the cause of the explosion. One of the scenarios being considered is that an electric scooter exploded. Footage shows a charred scooter in front of the apartment. Police are also investigating whether the explosion was caused by human activity. (Source: NOS.nl)
