Dutch men walk #handinhand following attack on gay couple
Straight Dutch men are uploading images on social media of themselves holding hands to stand up against homophobia. The trend was a response to a suspected attack on two gay men on a Dutch street on Sunday. Politicians, celebrities, football pundits and workers from the Netherlands and beyond have all used the hashtags #handinhand and #allemannenhandinhand (all men hand in hand) to express solidarity.
Gay couple allegedly assaulted for holding hands
35-year-old Jasper Vernes-Sewratan and 31-year-old Ronnie Sewratan-Vernes allege they were badly assaulted early Sunday morning in Arnhem. The gay couple claim they were attacked because they were holding hands. Prosecutors said five individuals, all teenagers, have been charged with assault. The investigation into the attack is ongoing. The story of the alleged attack received widespread coverage in Dutch media.
Hundreds march hand-in-hand in Amsterdam in solidarity with attack victims
Hundreds of people marched through Amsterdam holding hands in solidarity with the gay couple which was assaulted. Dutch PM Mark Rutte condemned the attack saying "It's terrible what happened. Awful." He said addressing homophobic violence would be his new government's "top priority." The Netherlands was the world's first country to legalize same-sex marriage in 2001. Politicians and lawmakers were among those who marched.
Journalist's tweet sparked hand-in-hand march
Journalist Barbara Barend sparked the action by tweeting: "all men (straight and gay) please to just walk hand in hand." The hashtag #allemannenhandinhand and subsequent photos followed.
