28 arrested at anti-lockdown protest in Amsterdam

The riot police broke up another protest against the coronavirus lockdowon on the Museumplein in Amsterdam on Sunday. Around 700 people gathered on the square. 28 were arrested - three for public violence, seven for ignoring police orders, and the rest for breaking coronavirus rules, a police spokesperson confirmed to NU.nl.

Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema, the police, and local prosecutor disbanded the demonstration earlier on Sunday afternoon and asked the protesters to leave. Many left at around 4:00 p.m. The riot police were called in to drive the remaining demonstrators away. At around 5:30 p.m., the square was quiet again.

Halsema said that she was disappointed that the demonstrators did not adhere to the agreements made in advance. "Demonstration is a fundamental right and the city wants to give demonstrators the opportunity to express their views. Even now that restrictions apply due to corona, demonstrations can be held on a small scale with an agreed upon number of people in a safe place," she said in a response to the arrests.

"But then the instructions and agreements made must be adhered to. It is disappointing that the demonstrators broke the rules again today," Halsema said. 

People have been protesting against the coronavirus measures on the Museumplein every Sunday for weeks. Previous demonstrations got completely out of hand, with riot police officers resorting to water canons to disperse the crowds, among other things. 

Hold the line. #Museumplein pic.twitter.com/AxiURLIJ4Q

— Kaktus (@MenuKaktus) March 7, 2021

Hulpverlening: Achtentwintig aanhoudingen bij demonstratie Museumplein - Amsterdam 07-03-2021 https://t.co/hLz2U8f21A pic.twitter.com/1cCIZ2K3W5

— Hulpverlening (@HulpverleningNL) March 8, 2021