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Action & Activism
Photostory: Baghdad car wreck displayed in Amsterdam

Report, Electronic Iraq

Jun 5, 2007


The Leidseplein, a popular square in the centre of Amsterdam (The Netherlands) formed the backdrop for the display of a bombed out vehicle from Baghdad on Sunday. The Bazaar, a discussion platform of the Greenleft, IKV Pax Christi, Hivos and Partizan Publik brought the Iraqi car wreck to the Netherlands. The Bazaar, under the title "War on Error" gave account of critical viewpoints on politics and culture in the Middle East. Speakers and audience engaged in a lively and emotional debate on Islamic spin doctors, Western media, civic engagement and the ways to end the occupation.


The groups wanted the Mutunabbi Bookmarket car bomb wreck to form the centre piece to a discussion on the fate of civilians in Iraq and a "way out of the violence and Dutch responsibility." The wreck of the bombed out car perfectly symbolises the fear and destruction in Iraq, said a spokesperson on Monday. "We wanted the car wreck to make this fear and horror visible."


The car wreck was brought to the Netherlands via a chain of local contacts and authorities. After the demonstration in Amsterdam the car will be on permanent display at the War Museum in Overloon, the Netherlands.



All images: Robert Kluijver

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