In Amsterdam Noord, opposite the train station, a brand new hotel has been empty for years. Almost 600 rooms, which have never been used. No one has ever slept there one night. The rooms are furnished, with a bed, a chair and lighting.
On April 1, the winter shelter closed. Hundreds of people are once again on the streets. No joke and reason enough for the Street Alliance to make their voices heard. Of course we at De Regenboog Groep fully support that.
On the lawn in front of the hotel many sympathizers have gathered. There is freshly baked pizza, music and something to drink. The atmosphere is convivial but the occasion is serious. The Street Alliance kicks off with a thumping speech:
"Here we are looking at vacancy in its most painful form. Warmth and security behind closed doors, while people have to survive in the cold outside with no security, no peace, no perspective. And let's be honest about it, this is not a technical problem for which a solution has yet to be found. Because that solution is literally right here in front of us. Empty, visible and unused."
Banners speak volumes:
You can't live in bullshit, you can live in vacancy.
Againful does have a roof!
Evil in North is deranged!
No words, but roofs!
April 1: homelessness is not a gr(rrrr)ap!
In the middle of the field is an occasional choir of over a hundred people. They have rehearsed four songs and it sounds good. After a pause, they sing again, and in between, the crowd is taken in a unified protest song:
Open that door! Open that door!
Let people in, what are we waiting for?
Open that door! Open that door! This isn't a joke anymore, you know!
On April 1, we made our voices heard. It is indigestible that people's lives are being locked up. On the Street Alliance banner the text: the key already exists, use it!"
Text: Cindy Vermuë | Photos: Ewa Wielgat