Netherlands: Seven injured and dozens arrested in protest against pandemic measures

The mayor of Rotterdam today condemned an “orgy of violence” in a demonstration that took place last night in this city of Ολλανδίας against the measures taken to deal with the pandemic, in which seven people were injured and more than 20 were arrested.

Crowds of several rioters set fire to cars, threw fireworks and threw stones at police. during the protest that took place yesterday, Friday night. Police responded with warning fire and the use of pressurized water pumps.

“Police officers were forced to draw their weapons and even shoot in the air,” said Mayor Ahmed Abu Taleb at a news conference early this morning.

When asked how he described the incident, Abu Taleb said it was “An orgy of violence, I can think of no other way to describe it”.

Authorities announced that arrested more than 20 people and that they are expected to detain others, as the city center where the riots took place is extensively monitored by security cameras.

Protesters rallied to oppose government plans to allow indoor access only to people with a health certificate, indicating that someone has been vaccinated against COVID-19 or has recovered from the disease.

This pass is also available to those who have not been vaccinated but have been tested and it has come out negative.

The Netherlands has re-imposed some lockdown measures last weekend initially for three weeks in an effort to slow the spread of the new coronavirus, but daily cases have remained at their highest levels since the pandemic broke out.

Authorities announced a record number of more than 23,000 new cases in one day on Thursday, well above the previous high of 13,000 daily cases recorded in December 2020.