The Dutch authorities have reacted extremely critically to the protests against quarantine restrictions, which escalated into ransacking shops, setting fire to cars and clashes with the police. More than 180 people have already been arrested, according to the BBC.
The government does not intend to lift the curfew (9:00 pm to 4:30 am) after the third night of violent protests. Violators face a € 95 fine.
Justice Minister Ferd Grapperhaus said the authorities will not “capitulate to a few idiots” – anyone who caused damage will be hunted down and made to pay for it.
Finance Minister Vopke Hekstra called the rioters “scoundrels” and the Dutch police chief said the riots no longer had “anything to do with the fundamental right to peaceful protest.”
Store owners in Rotterdam, Den Bosch and other cities spent Tuesday morning cleaning up the aftermath of the riots.
The Mayor of Rotterdam Ahmed Abutaleb sent an emotional message to the “shameless thieves”: “Are you pleased that you helped destroy your city? Woke up with a bag full of stolen goods next to you?”
Mayors of the cities and law enforcement officers asked parents not to let their children into the streets.
In some southern cities, such as Maastricht and Breda, football fans took to the streets, promising to protect residents from the rioters. Former footballer Robin van Persie called on the people of Rotterdam to keep “our beautiful city” intact.
Prime Minister Mark Rutte said that the police have the full support of the government: “The riots have nothing to do with protests or freedom struggles.”
Almost a million cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the country since the start of the coronavirus outbreak. More than 13,500 people have died.
In the Netherlands, anti-quarantine actions continue for the fifth day. Yesterday, protesters turned to harsher action by looting and smashing shops. The police used water cannons.
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