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Men across the Netherlands are holding hands today to protest against anti-gay violence witnessed in the country last weekend.
Two gay men in the Dutch city of Arnhem were attacked on Sunday. The couple was holding hands when they were attacked, leaving them with serious injuries.
One of them, Ronnie Sewratan-Vernes was left with four missing teeth while the other, Jasper Vernes-Sewratan, was injured in the ribs.
Vernes-Sewratan said they usually conceal their relationship, but had decided to hold hands as they walked home after a night out.
A total of five teenage boys and one twenty-year-old man were taken into custody over the weekend in connection with the assault.
In response to the attack, parliament members Alexander Pechtold, leader of liberal-democratic party D66 and party member and financial specialist Wouter Koolmees decided to hold hands to show support for the gay couple.
They arrived together at The Hague for negotiations on the formation of a new Dutch government.
And it’s not just the parliament members.
Journalist Barbara Barend tweeted to all men – encouraging them to hold hands in public in order to show support.
Men in the Netherlands took up the rallying cry, and have been sharing images holding hands.