Riot police in the Dutch capital of Amsterdam attempted to disperse a crowd of thousands on Sunday, who had gathered to protest against Covid-19 lockdown measures and vaccinations. The protesters, who mostly ignored public health guidelines, assembled in central Museum Square, violating a ban on public gatherings during the latest wave of coronavirus infections. According to local authorities, an emergency ordinance was issued empowering police to clear the area, after protesters failed to comply with rules aimed at preventing the spread of the virus.
The rally, which attracted several thousand people, was marked by a lack of masks and social distancing. Protesters, who defied an order not to hold a march, instead walked through the city center, playing music and brandishing yellow umbrellas as a symbol of opposition to the government’s measures. The Netherlands implemented a sudden lockdown on December 19th, closing all but essential stores, restaurants, hairdressers, gyms, museums, and other public places until at least January 14th.
Protest Against Covid-19 Lockdown Measures and Vaccinations Erupts in Amsterdam.
Public gatherings of more than two people are currently prohibited under the country’s restrictions, intended to prevent an overwhelmed healthcare system from coping with the spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. Like many European countries, the Netherlands imposed these measures in an effort to halt a fresh wave of infections.
As the city struggled to maintain public order, police faced intense confrontations with protesters, who refused to disperse despite pleas from authorities. The incident has sparked concerns about the spread of the virus, and the effectiveness of measures aimed at containing the pandemic. The tense standoff between protesters and police in Amsterdam has underscored the deep divisions over the lockdown measures and vaccinations in the country.
