Demonstrations spark debate on social issues
in the media image: Dmitrii E. on Unsplash
A recent demonstration at a council meeting in Utrecht caused uproar with charges being pressed. On news site Nu.nl, Rowie Stolk, Assistant Professor in Constitutional and Administrative Law, says ‘demonstrations are meant to cause commotion and friction’ and often spark debate.
Stolk is conducting research on collective actions on social issues such as reception facilities for refugees, nitrogen emissions and climate change. ‘You might say this isn't really the right way to change public opinion, but uproar and change can actually coexist.’ This dynamic process touches the nerve of democracy. Other examples are the farmers' protests in the Netherlands about nitrogen emissions. The demonstrations caused great uproar on the one hand, but they did attract political attention which led to policy changes – the ultimate goal of the protests.
Stolk emphasises that these ‘disruptors’ are essential when it comes to giving vulnerable groups a voice and making unpopular interests visible. That said, demonstrations must be held peacefully and without violence. Violence, after all, is never a solution. Not only that, it's against the law.