Home > News > Amsterdam mayor demands activists stop using Ai!Amsterdam name and logo

Amsterdam mayor demands activists stop using Ai!Amsterdam name and logo

Amsterdam, Aug. 7, 2009 [DutchAmsterdam.nl] — Amsterdam mayor Job Cohen is demanding that a local protest group stops using a name and logo similar to that of the city’s marketing campaign.

The pressure group, Ai!Amsterdam, was formed to protest an ever growing set of rules and regulations governing what can and can not be done in the city. The group’s name and logo are a take-off on the city’s marketing term, Iamsterdam.

Ai! Amsterdam
The action group’s name and logo are very similar to those used in Amsterdam’s marketing campaign.
© Ai!Amsterdam

The Dutch expression ai! (pronounced as in Thailand) is derived from the Yiddish Oy vey! — an exclamation of dismay or exasperation.

The group’s first protests targeted a by-law that made it illegal to drink alcoholic beverages while standing at a café’s outdoor terrace.

At a meeting with the group last Thursday mayor Cohen agreed to tolerate the practice — as long as the drinkers don’t cross the terrace boundaries, and do not create a nuisance.

The city may soon take steps to strike the regulation from its by-laws.

Iamsterdam
The I amsterdam logo in front of Rijksmuseum.
© · Photo by Matt Rubens

However, at the meeting the mayor also told the group it must change its name and logo.

According to Cohen the activists damage the city’s image as well as its marketing campaign.

Activist Rogier van Kralingen tells local newspaper Het Parool, “Cohen accuses us of damaging the city by using the name Ai!Amsterdam. Nonsense! It is the municipality that damages the city’s image with its nonsensical rules.”

The activists behind Ai!Amsterdam have stated they do not intend to give in to Cohen’s demand.

Nuisance

The mayor and Center borough chairwoman Els Iping say there has been an increase in complaints about nuiseance since the beginning of the smoking ban in July last year.

As café visitors pop outside for a quick smoke, neighbors often file complaints about excessive noise.

At the mayor’s request, Ai!Amsterdam’s activists will soon meet with some café neighbors. The group has also accepted an invitation by Cohen and Iping to discuss by-laws for local horeca businesses.

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.