Some 240 people have been arrested as unrest spread to at least 10 municipalities across the Netherlands, with riot police using water cannons, batons, dogs and horses to break up unauthorized anti-lockdown gatherings and riots.
Police faced off with curfew-defying crowds in The Hague, Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Enschede, Venlo, Stein, Roermond, Oosterhout, Breda and elsewhere across the nation for the second day in a row on Sunday.
At least 190 people, including minors, were detained in Amsterdam alone, where some 1,500 protesters gathered at the central Museum Square, according to local media.
While all demonstrators were peaceful, some sitting on a field with their banners, authorities declared the entire gathering was illegal under the current lockdown rules, and Police forcefully dispersed it using water cannons and batons.
In Eindhoven, hundreds of protesters were infiltrated by Antifa who clashed with police, pelting fireworks and rocks at officers and police vans, while mounted cops charged the crowd and used tear gas against the demonstrators.
Meanwhile, a group of Antifa extremists in Enschede tried to smash windows at the Medisch Spectrum Twente, forcing the hospital to request additional security.
Anti-covid-measure rioters in the Dutch city of Enschede appear to have attacked a hospital. https://t.co/Jfqrq5xWKk
— Matt Steinglass мы живем в мертвящей пустоте (@mattsteinglass) January 24, 2021
Later in the evening, multiple fires were burning in the streets of The Hague, with Antifa members reportedly setting a police motorcycle ablaze after forcing an officer to flee.
Heftig in Den Haag, Hobbemastraat. Rellen in Den Haag. @omroepwest @NUnl @ADnl #rellenindenhaag #hobbemastraat pic.twitter.com/5x5ZRpvqge
— Mairan Sewtahal (@Mairansewtahal) January 24, 2021
JUST IN – Violent anti-lockdown protests in several cities in the #Netherlands, protesters set fire to a police motorcycle in The Hague.pic.twitter.com/YSlLGFB5Iu
— Global.TV (@GlobalTelevsion) January 25, 2021
The mayor of Venlo was forced to issue an emergency order, after Antifa militants roamed the streets smashing storefronts, shooting fireworks and throwing stones.
Emergency order issued in Venlo. Windows are smashed, fireworks set off and bicycles thrown on the road.#Venlo
— drogoberor (@drogoberor) January 24, 2021
pic.twitter.com/oyuFyfUueg
Dutch Royal Military police were deployed to contain the unrest in Stein and Roermond.
🇳🇱 Schwere Ausschreitungen heute bei Protesten gegen die Corona Maßnahmen in Eindhoven.
— Der Informant (@DerInformant_) January 24, 2021
In dem Video deutlich zu erkennen die s.g. "Romeo's" (Agent Provocateur) pic.twitter.com/7x4wdntBuR
#Arnhem pic.twitter.com/kpe5paEYWZ
— Der Informant (@DerInformant_) January 24, 2021
heavy fireworks in #Roermond still going on pic.twitter.com/JqRVhsrarn
— Der Informant (@DerInformant_) January 24, 2021
Over the years, Media outlets have gained a level of trust and accountability. Unfortunately, we have seen time after time that this image has been abused and they have become partisan outlets for political and strategical gains. I believe that the first job of a journalist is to deliver the news impartially and outlets have to distinguish between news broadcasting and opinion delivery.
