Dutch PM Condemns Violence against COVID-19 Measures

On Monday, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte harshly criticised the violence that has erupted in towns across the Netherlands in response to COVID-19 legislation, warning that rioters will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law, according to GCTN.

"These aren't corona protests; they're pure violence by fools with nothing to do with demonstrating," Rutte remarked after consulting his cabinet colleagues.

"I understand that tensions are high because we have been dealing with the pain of Corona for so long," he continued, "but we will never tolerate that fools use violence against people who are out in the field to make our country secure for you and me."

It was tense in numerous Dutch cities for the third night in a succession. Enschede, Groningen, and Roosendaal all reported violent occurrences on Sunday evening. In Enschede and Groningen, an emergency order was in force, allowing the police to restore order.

So far, five arrests have been made in Enschede, with three more in Groningen. A primary school was set on fire, huge pyrotechnics were set off, and a car caught fire near Roosendaal, among other things. In the southern Dutch city, fifteen people have been arrested for disturbing the peace.

Soccer matches in the Dutch top flight league were disrupted earlier on Sunday. After fireworks were hurled at the police in Rotterdam's De Kuip stadium, 24 arrests were made.

Violent protests took place in the Hague, Urk, Bunschoten, Spakenburg, Katwijk, Stein, and Roermond on Saturday night. In the Hague, nineteen rioters were apprehended.

The present turmoil began in Rotterdam on Friday evening, when around 49 people were arrested for public assault, provocation, and violating the emergency order. In Rotterdam, four inpiduals were hurt and taken to the hospital for treatment.

The protests were intended against the COVID-19 measures and especially the proposed 2G (vaccinated or cured) policy of the Dutch government. The government on Friday proposed to make 2G pass mandatory for certain situations where the risk of infection is greatest and for events that otherwise cannot take place.