Nieuwmarkt Riots
The Nieuwmarkt riots (Dutch: Nieuwmarktrellen), also referred to as the Amsterdam metro riots, is a series of serious disturbances in the Nieuwmarkt neighbourhood of Amsterdam. On March 24 and April 8, 1975, protests against the planned demolition of homes ended in confrontations with the municipal police. The homes were considered by residents and protesters to be in good condition, but had to make way for the construction of the East Line tunnel of the Amsterdam metro.[1] This was needed because the construction of the 3,5 km long tunnel was largely done by sinking large concrete caissons. As a result of the riots, the city council of Amsterdam decided to abandon further plans for additional metro lines.
In 1980, the Nieuwmarkt metro station was opened. It is decorated with five pieces of art created in memory of the turbulent times.
References
- ↑ "Civil unrest: Nieuwmarkt ABC". City Archives of Amsterdam. Retrieved 2014-07-31.