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Amsterdam Mayor Dies of Lung Cancer at 62

by Reuters

   AMSTERDAM --

   Eberhard van der Laan, Amsterdam's popular mayor, has died of lung
   cancer, the city said Friday.

   Van der Laan informed city residents of his illness in January, saying
   the prognosis left "little reason for optimism."

   When he retreated from public life three weeks ago, thousands gathered
   in front of his canal-side house to applaud for several minutes in a
   display of support.

   Van der Laan, 62, was known as an effective, pragmatic and sometimes
   combative mayor with a sense of humor.

   When an "Occupy" tent camp arose in front of the stock market in
   October 2011, Van der Laan was a frequent visitor, engaging protesters
   in discussion. He allowed the tents to remain until a court ordered
   them cleared months later.

   One of his most remarkable moments on an international stage was in
   2013 when Van der Laan said he was too busy to meet Vladimir Putin
   during the Russian president's visit to Amsterdam, and ordered a
   rainbow flag flown from city hall in protest at Russian policies
   against homosexuals.

   The former lawyer served briefly as housing minister and shortly after
   becoming mayor in 2010 enforced a law banning squatting, sparking minor
   riots and banishing a long Amsterdam tradition to the fringes.

   Van der Laan is survived by his wife and five children from two
   marriages.