News

We want the city to be accessible to everyone. That is why we are committed to free local and regional public transport, especially for the groups that need it most. Public transport should also be more accessible and the Supplementary Public Transport (AOV) should be expanded.

Economic inequality, violations of privacy, and institutional racism; these forms of injustice have been further developed in recent decades through the increasing use of digital technology. As a result, under the guise of 'neutrality', algorithms reinforce existing inequality, as evidenced with the benefits scandal on a national level. Therefore, we will stop the increasing use of algorithms and other technology for surveillance. The municipality's existing digital infrastructure must also be very strictly controlled for security and fairness.

Capitalism is an international economic system that produces, maintains and increases poverty and inequality. The extent to which Amsterdam can do something about it is limited. Still, BIJ1 as a city wants to do everything to fight capitalism and develop local economic alternatives.

A flourishing art and culture sector is indispensable for a properly functioning democracy. Culture is one of the few areas where thinking in terms of profit or loss does not yet determine everything. It enables us to invent other ways of living together. That is why Amsterdam BIJ1 is advocating for a broad cultural program that is truly accessible to everyone.

Unfortunately, the city is still far from safe for everyone. Racism and discrimination are still present in the police force, far too little money is invested in shelter for victims of gender-based violence, and the city is not always safe for LGBTQI+ people either. Amsterdam BIJ1 wants to protect the inhabitants of Amsterdam against the racism, classism and ableism by the police, gender-basedviolence, and unnecessary and discriminating action in the case of drug use and misunderstood behaviour.

Residents know best what is needed for their living or working environment. Decisions must therefore be made locally as much as possible, in cooperation with all those concerned. The municipality must structurally finance good ideas from residents and facilitate them where necessary. In addition, critical self-reflection is needed within the municipal organisation and local politics. BIJ1 fights for municipal policy that originates from loyalty to residents, not to the civil service.

Amsterdam BIJ1 promotes radical equality. This certainly applies to people who have to flee their homeland because of hunger and poverty, war or climate disasters. Moreover, the fact that people have to leave their homeland is often related to colonial exploitation by Western countries. As the capital of a capitalist country, Amsterdam must offer a safe home to the people who suffer most from this system.

BIJ1 is fighting for a city that adapts to its inhabitants, not the other way around. We want a radically equal city that is accessible to all. That means no narrow, overcrowded pavements, no public buildings without lifts and no incomprehensible letters from the municipality.

The success of children at school is often determined by their origin, education and income of their parents, and as a result, inequality of opportunity starts at an early age. Where the schools only want to eliminate disadvantages, BIJ1 wants to tackle this inequality at the root. We want to do this by fighting under-advice and the role of racism, classism and ableism in education. Equal opportunities are created by investing in the schools and students who need it most. Every child deserves an accessible, healthy and safe learning environment where they feel welcome and can develop their talents, regardless of skin colour, gender, neurodivergence, religion or social class.

In the past decades, market forces have destroyed Dutch healthcare. Long waiting times, fragmented youth care facilities, inadequate care from the Social Support Act (Wmo) - all this care is inaccessible for many people. In 2015, care provision in the Netherlands was further decentralised and municipalities were given a larger role. Under the guise of 'customisation', far-reaching cuts were justified. In practice, this caused fragmented care provision, less quality control, and especially more room for market forces. This must change radically.

The consequences of the climate crisis are becoming increasingly visible and serious. Thanks to BIJ1, Amsterdam was the first city in the Netherlands to declare the climate crisis in 2019, but unfortunately, this has not yet led to effective policy; Amsterdam is behind on its own goals. Big companies buy up land, continue to colonise, and are not being held accountable.

Low wages, insecurity, and a poor work-life balance: that’s the result of our neo-liberal economy. It is also the order of the day in our municipality. BIJ1 fights against all forms of exploitation and speaks out for fair pay, social security, and a safe working environment. We, therefore, do everything in our power to raise the wages in our town considerably. In addition, the use of flexible and temporary contracts must be discouraged. Social security also means protection against racism, ableism, and other forms of discrimination in the workplace.