TheGeuzenpenning ('Beggar Medal') is a Dutch award given to persons or organizations who have fought for democracy and against dictatorship, racism and discrimination. It has been awarded annually since 1987 in the city ofVlaardingen.
The Geuzenpenning is an initiative of theGeuzen Resistance 1940–1945 Foundation. The organization takes its name from the a resistance group called 'Geuzen' which was active during World War II aroundVlaardingen,Maassluis andRotterdam. The resistance group, in turn, took its name from theGeuzen (from Frenchgueux 'beggars'), a collection of armed groups that fought the Spanish occupation of theLow Countries in the 16th century, during theDutch Revolt. Fifteen of the WWII Geuzen were executed byGerman forces at the Waaldorpplain on 13 March 1941, along with three leaders of theAmsterdamFebruary Strike. After the war, surviving members of the group started the foundation to honor the memory of their fallen comrades and the Geuzen ideals, to promote and maintain democracy in theNetherlands and to heighten global awareness of all forms of dictatorship, discrimination and racism.
