Amsterdam extends ban on all protests through Thursday to maintain order

An emergency ordinance in Amsterdam that also bans protests and demonstrations will remain in effect at least until 7 a.m. on Thursday. The measure was ordered by the mayor, the head of the district prosecutor’s office, and the local police chief in the wake of the violence after the Ajax - Maccabi Tel Aviv match last Thursday night.

Supporters of the Israeli club were chased, attacked and abused in incidents around the city following the match. Some Maccabi supporters were alleged to have inflamed tensions a day earlier, though Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema said this was “no excuse” for the assaults which followed the match.

The mayor, police and Public Prosecution Service decided on Sunday to extend the emergency order, said the municipality of Amsterdam. The measure was initially supposed to expire on Monday at 7 a.m. The emergency ordinance has been in effect in the capital since Friday at 7 p.m.

On Sunday, an activist who wanted to demonstrate on Dam Square filed for an injunction against the emergency ordinance. However, the judge did not grant that request.

Nevertheless, on Sunday, many hundreds of people went to Dam Square to attend a protest. Police removed large groups of pro-Palestinian activists from the area, including the Nieuwendijk shopping street.

Four buses with 70 to 100 demonstrators each were used to collect the demonstrators. According to a reporter on the scene, all participants in the protest have now left.

There was still a heavy police presence in the Dam at 6 p.m. Police said that all demonstrators who refused to leave Dam Square have been arrested.