Society's receipt: stunt against VAT increase

On the third Tuesday of September, a broad alliance of organisations from culture, sport, events, media, books and accommodation took action against new politic plans to increase VAT.

At two locations affected by the increase, on and near the Royal procession, a ‘cash register for society’ was hung out just before the carriage pulled along, giving examples of the financial consequences of the VAT increase. From the roof of museum Escher in het Paleis and museum House of the Book, a wide representation of experts by experience and politicians, including Splinter Chabot (author), Marit Bouwmeester (Olympic sailing champion)Jefferson Yaw Frempong-Manson (artist), Jan Akkerman (hotelier), Thomas Driessen (De Creatieve Coalitie), Rob Jetten (D66), Mohammed Mohandis (GL/PvdA) and Ines Kostiç (PvdD), in the presence of press and politicians rolled out a statement from a 20-metre-long receipt: stop the VAT increase.

‘This receipt presents the government's insane plans to increase VAT on arts, culture, theatres, gyms, hotels, books and media. And this is going to have major consequences. If this VAT increase goes through, it will also mean that 4 million fewer books will be sold and read. We cheered for our Olympic champions a few weeks ago, but kill the champions of the future with this. This is the bill the Dutch have to pay,’ said Splinter Chabot.

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Dit is echter niet de enige actie tegen de plannen van het nieuwe kabinet. We Are Public -  met hun actie "Gezocht: Cultuuroptimisten" - is een lobby gestart voor het belang van cultuur. Ruim 100.000 cultuuroptimisten staan op de lijst, maar hoe hoger het aantal hoe sterker het signaal. Wil je ondertekenen en heb je dit nog niet gedaan? Of wil je meer weten over de actie? Kijk dan op www.wearepublic.nl/cultuuroptimisten.