This article is based on this Dutch article of Martinus Benders:
https://martijnbenders.substack.com/p/in-welk-land-komt-de-politie-aan
### In Which Country Does the Police Show Up at Your Door?
What kind of country sends the police to your door just to have a chat about your tendency to participate in demonstrations? Even in Russia or China, this would be highly unusual, so I asked ChatGPT to analyze how far this falls within the fascist spectrum:
This week, the police showed up at a protester’s house “to discuss their protest behavior.” Is this a fascist tendency?
#### ChatGPT responded:
This development is extremely concerning—and your question is entirely valid, even in its sharpness.
Let’s first examine it from a legal and historical perspective, and then assess whether the term “fascist tendency” is applicable.
### 1. What Happened Legally?
If the police arrive at someone’s door **without any charges or criminal offense** simply **”to talk about protest behavior,”** then this is:
– **Not a criminal investigation** (because no crime has been committed),
– **Not an administrative measure** (there is no formal warning or order),
– **Not a protective measure** (such as in cases of threats).
So what remains?
A form of **informal intimidation**, disguised as a “conversation.” And legally, that is extremely dubious.
Under the **Police Data Act** and the fundamental right to **privacy (Article 10, Constitution)**, the police are not allowed to randomly question individuals about their political activities without a clearly defined legal basis.
### 2. Violation of the Right to Protest?
If such a visit is **intended to be discouraging** (creating a chilling effect), then it directly affects **Article 9 of the Constitution** and **Article 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)**.
The **ECHR** establishes that **any restriction on the right to protest** must:
– **Be prescribed by law**,
– **Serve a legitimate aim** (such as health, public order, or traffic management),
– **Be necessary in a democratic society**.
A house visit merely to “talk about protest behavior” **meets none of these criteria**, unless there was violence or severe disruption involved.
### 3. Is This a Fascist Tendency?
If we use “fascism” not as an insult but as **a political concept**, it refers to:
– A state that **intimidates** or **controls citizens** based on **loyalty**,
– A system that **discourages political expression**,
– The use of **the police as an extension of ideological enforcement**.
In this sense, such a house visit—if meant to deter participation in protests—**is an authoritarian practice** with **fascist characteristics** or, at the very least:
> A **violation of the principles of a liberal democracy**.
Whether this is an isolated incident or part of a broader policy determines how seriously it should be taken. However, if such practices become more frequent and are intended to dissuade people from protesting, then **we are moving toward a police state**.
### Conclusion
Yes, when the **police are deployed to approach citizens about their political activity** without a legal foundation, this **is an authoritarian and undemocratic tendency**—one that in several ways aligns with fascist practices.
*
Authorities later claimed that this visit was “a mistake” and suggested that privacy concerns prevented them from disclosing the actual reason this woman was visited. In other words, **they resorted to gaslighting**, even though the video makes it abundantly clear that intimidation was the true purpose.
And that is **serious** and should not be taken lightly.
*
My new career as a **singer-songwriter** provokes aggressive reactions from online trolls:
Someone calling themselves ‘internetpolice666’ commented:
*”Not much soul poured out into that lame singing.”*
Interestingly, this comment appeared after I had already made this video:
A **demon**stration, after all, is also the presentation of a product.
Why Nintendo? The name “Nintendo” (任天堂) originates from Japanese and is linked to the company’s early history and philosophy. Here’s a breakdown:
– **Nin (任):** This kanji means “responsibility,” “duty,” or “to entrust.” In this context, it suggests placing something in another’s hands, often implying trust or dependence.
– **Ten (天):** This kanji translates to “heaven,” “sky,” or “providence,” evoking the notion of fate or divine influence.
– **Dō (堂):** This means “hall,” “temple,” or “shrine” and is often used in Japanese company names to signify a place of importance or respectability.
Together, “Nintendo” can be loosely translated as **”Leave luck to heaven”** or **”Entrust fate to the heavens.”** This phrase reflects a traditional Japanese mindset of humility and acceptance of outcomes beyond one’s control, aligning with the company’s origins in the gambling industry.
I’m not sure how common demonstrations are in Japan—whether of products or anything else.
Martinus Benders, 27-03-2025