WILLEMSTAD — On May 5, as the Kingdom of the Netherlands celebrates its annual Day of Freedom, a group of Caribbean parents impacted by the Dutch childcare benefits scandal is organizing a unique initiative: the Minority’s Freedom Dinner. The gathering takes place at the Brion School in Willemstad and serves as a moment of connection, recognition, and solidarity. 

This local event is part of the nationwide “Vrijheidsmaaltijden” (Freedom Meals) initiative, held each year to commemorate liberation and freedom. However, for the organizers—members of the foundation Minority’s, a support network for Caribbean victims of the scandal—this edition carries special significance. 

Under the theme “What does freedom taste like after years of persecution by the Dutch state?”, the organizers aim to do more than share a meal. They want to share personal stories of injustice, loss, and the ongoing journey toward justice and healing. 

The symbolic Freedom Soup will be served, representing community and the act of sharing. “When you sit at the table together, you begin to better understand each other’s world,” said initiator Erica Wever in the invitation. 

The event will run from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, near the mural of freedom fighter Pedro Luis Brion—a meaningful location chosen to bring together people from all walks of life. 

The organizers hope that by combining food with heartfelt conversation, the dinner will spark deeper awareness of the impact of state-led injustice and the resilience of those affected.