Juul Hondius

I am about 11 years old. Together with a friend and our father’s, we go to The Hague with half a million people to protest against nuclear weapons, against NATO.

We gathered at the bus station. It felt like an adventure, a school trip. I didn’t know the script of a demonstration yet. “Now all lie down!”someone shouts through a megaphone next to me. We are imitating a nuclear war. In a strange position, lying on middle of the road of the street, with your mouth half open. After a few minutes you get up again.

I remember the encouraging looks of adults when they see the text on our banner. It was all so clear, because we were right and the other half of the Netherlands were not, it was just a matter of time before they would all realize that.

I was certain.