The Hague – On Saturday, June 21, a coalition of Dutch peace organizations will host former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn as a keynote speaker at the Counter-Summit for Peace and Justice. Corbyn is widely recognized as a leading figure in the international peace movement. The Counter-Summit, organized in response to the NATO summit, aims to bring together peace activists from across the Netherlands and abroad for in-depth discussions. On Sunday, June 22, the coalition will follow up with a Protest for Peace and Justice. With a march through The Hague — which police initially refused to permit — the organizers want to show that there is indeed resistance to growing militarization.
The coalition is proud to announce the first two keynote speakers for the Counter-Summit: Jeremy Corbyn and Peter Mertens. Mertens is the general secretary and a member of parliament for the Belgian Workers’ Party (PVDA/PTB), which plays a prominent role in opposing militarization in Belgium. Coalition spokesperson Guido van Leemput stated:
“Throughout his political career, Corbyn has consistently spoken out against war. From the anti-nuclear movement to the Iraq invasion — Jeremy was always at the forefront. He has also been a long-time advocate for the rights of the Palestinian people. The same goes for Mertens and the PVDA.”
The organizers hope the Counter-Summit will energize the anti-war movement at home and abroad, and see the involvement of well-known activists like Corbyn and Mertens as a crucial step in that direction.
Jeremy Corbyn himself emphasized the importance of raising a voice for peace and justice:
“Blowing up the profits of arms companies while the public treasury is drained to boost military spending is a threat to us all. Instead of investing in weapons of mass destruction, we should be investing in real security: our schools, hospitals, and housing — to ensure everyone can live a happy and healthy life.
We must work together across borders, not to dominate, but to build a world based on peace, human rights, and dignity for all. That’s why I’m proud to join the Counter-Summit in The Hague.”
The day after the Counter-Summit, on Sunday, June 22, the Protest for Peace and Justice will take place at Koekamp. Initially, police had refused to allow the planned march past the Peace Palace, but that decision has now been reversed. The organizers are relieved that the march can go ahead.
“News coverage is dominated by military voices and politicians demanding more money for weapons. Anyone who questions that narrative is immediately dismissed as a friend of Putin. That’s why it’s especially important that our demonstration is given space,” said Olaf Kemerink, spokesperson for the coalition.
To help make the events possible, the coalition is also raising donations via: