Boats representing rights groups, bars, clothing brands and even the Dutch military slowly made their way through the waterways in a repeat of the hugely popular LGBTQ Pride event that had been canceled for two years amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are looking forward to a special edition where ‘be who you are and love what you want’ is the rule and the fight for equal rights is the message,” said Amsterdam Pride director Lucien Spee de Castillo Ruiz. Spectators were crammed deep along the Dutch capital’s canals and bridges to watch the 25th edition of the parade that was the culmination of the city’s nine-day Pride event. Earlier, Dutch police stopped a boat supporting farmers protesting the government’s climate plans to reduce nitrogen emissions from participating in the parade. Only 80 boats were allowed to participate and had to be registered in time. The farmers’ boat was decorated with flags that read “Proud Farmers” and “No Farmer, No Food”. On board was a person in a cow costume and others wearing pink clogs and pink cowboy hats.
