'Fighting intolerance is a duty'

amsterdam - Let's count on our blessings on May 4 and hope and confidence to continue on the path of peace. That said the Mayor of Amsterdam, Eberhard van der Laan, Thursday evening at the National Commemoration of the Dam in Amsterdam.

'One day like today, we realize how many victims made the occupier and how many people put their lives on our own for our freedom,' said Van der Laan. 'We realize which great achievements, such as democracy, fundamental rights and the rule of law we may- and thanks to them- may nurture and maintain. '

The mayor said that as soon as intolerance strikes the head, it must be combated in time. He pointed out that this should happen without becoming intolerant. 'We are obliged to all those we remember this evening. '

Van der Laan said that during the occupation it required courage and sense of duty to resist. For example, he mentioned Henriëtte Pimentel, director of the nursery opposite the Dutch Theater. She has helped to let many hundreds of Jewish children succumb and was killed in Auschwitz.

'One day like today, we realize how many victims made the occupier and how many people put their lives on our own for our freedom,' said Van der Laan. 'We realize which great achievements, such as democracy, fundamental rights and the rule of law we may- and thanks to them- may nurture and maintain. '

The mayor said that as soon as intolerance strikes the head, it must be combated in time. He pointed out that this should happen without becoming intolerant. 'We are obliged to all those we remember this evening. '

Van der Laan said that during the occupation it required courage and sense of duty to resist. For example, he mentioned Henriëtte Pimentel, director of the nursery opposite the Dutch Theater. She has helped to let many hundreds of Jewish children succumb and was killed in Auschwitz.

Indrukwekkend: groots applaus na mooie toespraak van de zieke Eberhard van der Laan op de Dam. #Dodenherdenking— Mike Muller (@_MikeMuller) May 4, 2017