Home > News > Dam Screamer sentenced to jail for causing panicked stampede at Amsterdam Dam square

Dam Screamer sentenced to jail for causing panicked stampede at Amsterdam Dam square

DutchAmsterdam.nl — The man who caused a panicked stampede among a crowd gathered at Amsterdam’s Dam Square for the national Remembrance Day commemorations in May, 2010 — injuring dozens of people — has been sentenced to 12 months in jail, six of which suspended.

The 40-year-old Gennaro P., known to the Dutch as the Damschreeuwer (Dam Screamer) is also prohibited from attending the annual Remembrance Day commemorations for a period of five years.

Remembrance Day commemorates all civilians and members of the armed forces of the Kingdom of the Netherlands who have died in wars or peacekeeping missions since the outbreak of World War II.

Until 1961, the commemoration only related to the Dutch victims of World War II.

Shot-like Sound

On May 4, 2010, one minute into the 2 minutes of silence observed as part of the ceremony the man suddenly gave a 5-seconds-long, loud scream.

As bystanders tried to push away from the man a security fence fell over with a sharp, shot-like sound, creating panic further away in the 20.000-strong crowd.

The scream starts at the 3″ mark. The security fence falls at the 10″ mark.

The court considers it proven that there is a connection between the man’s scream and the panic that broke out at the Dam.

This NOS TV news fragment starts at the moment that the security fence falls. The shot-like sound during what was supposed to be 2 minutes of silence caused a panic reaction among the crowd

At the time police reported that 63 people had been injured in the stampede. Later that number was revised to 87. The injuries included scrapes, bruises and some broken bones.

Security Tight

Security during the commemoration was tight in part because members of the Royal Family were present. During Queen’s Day celebrations one year earlier — and four days before Remembrance Day — the Netherland’s popular queen and royal family were targeted in a premeditated attack that killed five people and left 13 people wounded.

Dam Screamer Not Sorry

Last April P. was arrested for theft. Since he is known to police as an habitual offender he was jailed for 90 days, preventing him from attending this year’s Remembrance Day ceremony.

While his lawyer initially said the man apologized for his actions, P. later declared to the media that he is not sorry for screaming, because “we live in a free country.”

Before the court case, which he did not attend, P. already declared that he would appeal any sentence.

Hello! Our original content is protected by © Copyright DutchAmsterdam .nl
Do not republish or repost. Page copy protected against web site content infringement by Copyscape

GetYourGuide is our Trusted Ticket Partner

Why stand in line during your vacation? Beat the crowds by booking Amsterdam Tours, Skip the Line Tickets, Museums, Excursions and Activities online.

Your GetYourGuide Ticket Advantage:
Authorized Ticket Seller
Verified legal tour operators
Printed or Mobile Voucher Accepted
Skip-the-Line (if available)
Instant Confirmation
Easy Cancellation

Leave a Reply

About This Article

Category: News
Related to: , , ,

An Amsterdammer last updated this post on CET (Central European Time)

   
Transparency:
The DutchAmsterdam website includes affiliate links. That means we get a small commission — at no additional cost to you — for each purchase you make. Your support helps us provide this site free of charge. Naturally, as our Editorial Policy states, our content is never influenced by our advertisers or affiliates.