Demonstrate
On Thursday there was a demonstration of around 130 opposition men against the arrival of a controversial delegate (Yermane Gebreab) from the regime in Eritrea. Subsequently, there were left and right signals on social media that about 500 people would be demonstrating on Friday. The mayor feared that the flame would hit the pan well in the following days. "When the police indicated they could no longer handle it, the mayor issued the emergency order. If there had been more preparation time, it could all have been poured into the barrel better, "according to Veldhoven's lawyer.
According to the counsel of the organizer SNEP (Stichting Nederlands Eritrees Platform), the mayor still had sufficient opportunities to maintain public order without prohibiting the entire multi-day conference for Eritrean youngsters in Europe. For example, Eindhoven had offered extra police assistance.
Although Vermeulen state council criticizes the mayor critically, it is not a very difficult matter of principle in which the importance of public order conflicts with the right to collection and freedom of expression. The Council of State will most likely make a statement in principle as to the threat conditions under which a mayor can or cannot ban a conference or demonstration. Judgment within a few weeks.