WATCH Dutch riot police fire water cannon to disperse rally against coronavirus restrictions, dozens arrested
Dutch police have cracked down on a protest against coronavirus restrictions in The Hague. Water cannon and mounted police were deployed to break up the crowd, and around 100 people were arrested according to local media.
Only a small demonstration was permitted by the local authorities, but large crowds defied the restrictions and flocked to The Hague’s Malieveld, a large grass field in the city center traditionally used for mass gatherings.
The city authorities initially banned the anti-lockdown rally after concluding that too many people would show up and social distancing would not be observed, according to local media.
In a surprise change of heart, Mayor Johan Remkes announced that a small time-limited protest would be allowed, if the number of demonstrators were kept relatively low. However, at least 2,000 participants showed up, and police moved in to clear the area.
On Saturday, the same site was used for a “Black Lives Matter” event, which went ahead without police interference.
Malieveld, 1 minuut stil voor de 41 mensen die sinds 2016 zijn omgekomen onder verantwoordelijkheid van de politie. Stop de nieuwe politiewet! #blm#malieveldpic.twitter.com/iOn0Jww7c3
