Amsterdam police deployed two water cannons and officers in riot gear to prevent an unpermitted protest against Covid-19 restrictions, ultimately making the crowd leave the area.
The anti-lockdown rally gathered on Saturday in Amsterdam’s Museumplein, a green open space named for the three national museums located in the area. The protest took place without a permit from the municipality, so the police declared Museumplein a security risk area, threatening a possible crackdown on those gathering there. This didn’t stop a large crowd of activists from coming and mingling with ordinary people, who frequently hang out at the museum neighborhood on weekends.
Kort daarna dit; men vormt een lijn met oud #militairen en zorgmedewerkers op het #museumplein. pic.twitter.com/1AUP8c7BBX
— Owen (@_owenobrien_) March 20, 2021
Some of the protesters were dressed in medical garb or military uniforms, though more exotic outfits were also seen.
Diep respect ❤️#Museumplein pic.twitter.com/buRBGkRjxu
— Criticaster1960 (@IkNet) March 20, 2021
Army veterans in front of the police in Holland. Is this my country?. Let us free. Goverment dictate her citizens. #Museumplein @CNN @cnnbrk @FoxNews pic.twitter.com/xcZ1pL5UYg
— DeNuchtereHollander (@NuchtereDe) March 20, 2021
kill bill #Museumplein pic.twitter.com/9wqvBOFkMR
— missyfromtheblock (@missyfromthebl1) March 20, 2021
Many brought colorful umbrellas, which proved to be wise considering that the police used a pair of water cannons to shoot over the protesters, apparently nudging them to leave. The crowd chanted slogans like ‘Love, freedom, no to dictatorship’ and sang ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’.
#Museumplein pic.twitter.com/gdwyAZ8Imv
— Bastian namuH (@BastiannamuH) March 20, 2021
#Museumplein You never walk alone! pic.twitter.com/Iv8wQci6wb
— Daniël (@Quelle020) March 20, 2021
Inzet waterwerpers op #Museumplein Demonstranten blijven staan en zitten, en zingen nu “schaam je kapot” pic.twitter.com/O38Hxpa7Wz
— Bob van Keulen (@BobHGL) March 20, 2021
The police came prepared for a possible riot, armed with shields and protective gear, and brought police dogs with them. The situation, however, remained mostly peaceful, and the protesters ultimately left the area and walked away en mass.
Vegen begonnen op #Museumplein pic.twitter.com/VQmKVxnzCc
— Bob van Keulen (@BobHGL) March 20, 2021
Veteranen worden aangehouden.#Museumplein pic.twitter.com/3TqgbUm1UO
— jacknieuw (@jacknieuw1) March 20, 2021
The police said they took action after a group of 500 people came together and refused to leave as instructed. The number is the upper limit allowed for mass gatherings in the Netherlands at the moment, provided participants keep at least 1.5 meters from each other.
Similar anti-lockdown protests were scheduled for Saturday in other nations, including Sweden, Germany, the UK, and others.
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Amsterdam police deployed two water cannons and officers in riot gear to prevent an unpermitted protest against Covid-19 restrictions, ultimately making the crowd leave the area. Read Full Article at RT.com
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