Article Author:
Associated Press
Peter DeJon
AMSTERDAM (AP) — Hundreds of thousands of spectators lined Amsterdam's historic canals on Saturday to celebrate the Canal Parade. This is a party-filled fleet of 80 brightly decorated boats. People waving rainbow flags, balloons and umbrellas and singing.
Representing rights groups, bars, clothing brands and even the Dutch military as the hugely popular LGBTQ pride event resumes after being canceled for two years amid the COVID-19 pandemic A boat slowly made its way down the channel.
"I look forward to a special edition where 'be who you are and love who you want' is the norm and the message is the struggle for equal rights." ', said Lucien Spee de Castillo Ruiz, director of his Pride in Amsterdam.
Spectators packed along canals and deep into bridges to watch the 25th version of the parade, the highlight of his nine-day pride event in the Dutch capital.
Early in the event, police stopped boats assisting farmers who had been protesting for weeks against government plans to cut nitrogen emissions. Only 80 of her boats were available for the event and had to be registered in advance.
The farmer's boat was adorned with flags reading "Farmer's Pride" and "No Farmer, No Food." Some were wearing cow costumes, while others were wearing pink clogs and pink cowboy hats.
