The People Of Amsterdam Protested Putin By Throwing Tomatoes At Each Other And It Was Awesome
Though the protest was technically held to demonstrate against the fresh produce sanction, many people turned up just to lob some overripe vegetables.
People in Amsterdam threw thousands of tomatoes at each other on Sunday to protest Russia's ban on importing food from the European Union.
The protest took place in Dam Square, a dignified space that usually looks like this...
RT @caroladevisser: Laatste #voorbereidingen over 3 #kwartier gaan we #open #tomatengevecht #manifestatie #tomatofest
Susan G@educationtrFollow
RT @caroladevisser: Laatste #voorbereidingen over 3 #kwartier gaan we #open #tomatengevecht #manifestatie #tomatofest
12:14 PM - 14 Sep 14RetweetFavorite
...but ended up looking like this.
De dam is voor even het Rode plein #tomatengevecht
Ikben020@Ikben020Follow
De dam is voor even het Rode plein #tomatengevecht
11:33 AM - 14 Sep 14RetweetFavorite
According to the Associated Press, the "protest" was basically just a messy party:
With music pumping from a podium, the participants — most of whom were wearing white before the fight started — counted down from 10 to zero. Then a shipping container full of the fruit was emptied into the arena.
Ondertussen in Oss. De tomatensoep -volgens nieuw recept- met extra balletjes wordt bereid #tomatengevecht
Eric Seuren@SeurenEricFollow
Ondertussen in Oss. De tomatensoep -volgens nieuw recept- met extra balletjes wordt bereid #tomatengevecht
8:06 AM - 14 Sep 14RetweetFavorite
The event was inspired by Spain's annual La Tomatina festival, AP reports.
"It was hard in there. It was mean. But it was fun," said Lois Bloedjes, who attended with her sister Sil. "Everything became one big pile of mush. There were people swimming in it on the ground."
Attendees came prepared, with some of the brave tomato-warriors donning protective gear.
Wat was t een feest op #dam #tomatofest
Kee@kee1970Follow
Wat was t een feest op #dam #tomatofest
12:23 PM - 14 Sep 14RetweetFavorite
Whereas others improvised weapons.
Tomatengevecht op Dam - video http://t.co/608qFs4bQV #tomatengevecht
De Telegraaf ticker@telegraaftickerFollow
Tomatengevecht op Dam - video http://t.co/608qFs4bQV #tomatengevecht
1:16 PM - 14 Sep 14RetweetFavorite
Any resemblance to Dionysian sacrificial rites was, of course, purely coincidental.
#Zondag 14-sept: Groot #TomatenGevecht op de #Dam > http://t.co/OLqYq9nEni #Occupy: We hebben #Lak aan #Poetin ! -
Occupy Schagen@OccupySchagenFollow
#Zondag 14-sept:
Groot #TomatenGevecht op de #Dam
> http://t.co/OLqYq9nEni
#Occupy: We hebben #Lak aan #Poetin !
-
7:27 PM - 03 Sep 14RetweetFavorite
But for the love of Bacchus, behold those tomato-covered pectorals!
RT @anthonysmiles: never knew tomatoes could be this sexy. #tomatofest #tomatengevecht #damsquare #Amsterdam
Chet Van Wert@cvanwertFollow
RT @anthonysmiles: never knew tomatoes could be this sexy. #tomatofest #tomatengevecht #damsquare #Amsterdam
2:13 PM - 14 Sep 14RetweetFavorite
Participants in the protest paid about $18 for the privilege of finding themselves covered in tomato slime. Though roughly 1,000 tickets were sold, only a few hundred attended.
Was echt crazy. Kwam de Dam niet meer af, OV en taxi's wilden me niet hebben, TOTALLY WORTH IT THO. #tomatofest
Mutloesoe@Umut_MutluFollow
Was echt crazy. Kwam de Dam niet meer af, OV en taxi's wilden me niet hebben, TOTALLY WORTH IT THO. #tomatofest
1:44 PM - 14 Sep 14RetweetFavorite
Proceeds from the event will be used to help Dutch tomato farmers who have been hurt by Putin's ban on importing certain foods from the European Union.
Dansjes op De Dam. In mijn onderbroek. #tomatofest
chico dorado.@BenVolkersFollow
Dansjes op De Dam. In mijn onderbroek. #tomatofest
5:14 PM - 14 Sep 14RetweetFavorite
Putin's ban is itself a protest against the sanctions the West has imposed on Russia for its involvement in the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
'Living the story' inside #tomatengevecht - watch @BBCNews
anna holligan@annaholliganFollow
'Living the story' inside #tomatengevecht - watch @BBCNews
10:58 AM - 14 Sep 14RetweetFavorite
Although the fight only lasted for an hour, the protesters went through 120,000 tomatoes unfit for consumption.
RT @cameramanpeter: 10.000 kg tomaten ligt klaar om al gooiend van eigenaar te wisselen. #tomatengevecht #tomatofest
Chris Spaansen@ChrisSpaansenFollow
RT @cameramanpeter: 10.000 kg tomaten ligt klaar om al gooiend van eigenaar te wisselen. #tomatengevecht #tomatofest
2:19 PM - 14 Sep 14RetweetFavorite
H/T Mashable
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Nicolás Medina Mora is a reporter for BuzzFeed News and is based in New York.
Contact Nicolás Medina Mora at nicolas.mora@buzzfeed.com.
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