Dutch police detained dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters in Amsterdam on Sunday after they defied an indication ban imposed within the wake of violence instigated by Israeli soccer followers.
Hours earlier, the Amsterdam District Court docket upheld the mayor’s determination to ban protests, three days after it was rocked by violence in a number of areas of the town.
However lots of of protesters gathered within the metropolis’s Dam Sq., holding indicators that learn “We would like our streets again” and chanting “Free Palestine.”
Riot police attacked protesters within the afternoon, shortly after the court docket upheld the ban on protests, arresting dozens. The detainees have been taken to ready buses and brought to different locations within the metropolis, earlier than being launched, native media AT5 reported.
Police couldn’t say whether or not any protesters remained in custody.
Dutch activist Frank van der Linde requested pressing permission to exhibit on the town’s well-known Dam Sq. regardless of a short lived ban on protests, introduced by Mayor Femke Halsema on Friday.
Van der Linde wished to protest on the dam towards the “genocide in Gaza, but additionally as a result of they’ve taken away our proper to protest,” in accordance with the Dutch nationwide information company ANP.
Friday’s emergency measures additionally included a rise within the variety of law enforcement officials and a ban on using face masks. Amsterdam metropolis council introduced that the measures can be prolonged till Thursday.
However on Sunday afternoon, lots of of protesters started gathering within the metropolis’s downtown sq. regardless of a heavy police presence. “This protest has nothing to do with anti-Semitism,” mentioned Alexander van Stokkum, 37, one of many protesters.
Police mentioned tensions had already risen earlier than the match between Ajax and Tel Aviv Maccabi on the Johan Cruyff Enviornment on Thursday.
Maccabi followers burned a Palestinian flag in Dam’s central sq. and vandalized a taxi, Amsterdam police chief Peter Holla mentioned.
Thursday’s Europa League match largely resulted in a relaxed ambiance, praised by the Ajax membership.
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof on Saturday canceled his journey to the United Nations local weather summit to deal with the fallout.
