The chain outbreak of street riots recorded last weekend in the Netherlands reflects the citizen tension accumulated by the pandemic. The pressure due to the increase in hospital occupancy, restrictions to curb infections and the need for a booster dose of the vaccine have an impact on the feeling of individual lack of freedom. But other factors have influenced the emergence of these revolts, dragged on for a long time and which damage the credibility of the Government. Among them, there is concern about the lack of affordable housing, the scandal of family allowances that permeates the entire system – from the Tax Agency to the Council of State – or the protest to accelerate the fight against climate change. To this mix of health emergency and social unrest, has been added the presence of organized violent groups that take advantage of the demonstrations against the containment measures of the covid to act. They use them to launch themselves against the police and everything that represents a public service, because firefighters and ambulances have also been attacked. It is a revolt that surprised the police last Friday, in Rotterdam, and that has had its echo in other European countries.
The clashes, which started in Rotterdam in the course of an unregistered demonstration against the limitations of the pandemic, have left scenes difficult to digest. There were cornered and attacked agents and four gunshot wounds whose origin is being investigated. Bonfires in the streets, launching of cobblestones and fireworks, and destruction of urban furniture. The riots were repeated in other towns – and also this Monday – and the number of detainees now exceeds one hundred. Mark Rutte, the prime minister, has called “idiots” those who have resorted to violence. In turn, Ferd Grapperhaus, head of Justice, says that the demonstrations have been used, by some, “as a cover to launch against the forces of order.”
Jan Struijs, President of the Police Union, offers a view from the field. He considers that what happened in Rotterdam reflects the accumulated tension in society, which leads people to go out into the streets. But, he adds, there is a conjunction of factors. “It was Friday and there were a lot of young people outside in Rotterdam. The hotel business closes at eight o’clock in the afternoon, the public cannot go to the football stadiums and the pyrotechnics have been eliminated on New Year’s Eve. Tempers flared and everything exploded. In The Hague, a day later, there were also many problems. And there is a group of extremists, small but well organized and very aggressive, who were there and went after the agents, ”he explains by phone. He adds that these violent men have international contacts in France, Germany, Belgium and Austria.
His account of the night in Rotterdam is very harsh, and he acknowledges that a misfortune may have occurred. “That degree of violence. These are things that had not happened in 20 or 30 years, “he says. In his opinion, the majority of the population accepts the restrictions of the health crisis, but a balance must be found between health protection and individual freedoms. Think of the people who reject the vaccine. That is why it is very important that the majority of citizens agree with the new measures that may be imposed. We must avoid social bankruptcy. At this point, the fact that the government is still in office does not help [la nueva coalición lleva ocho meses negociándose] and decisions can only be made in the short term ”, he asserts.
The sociologist Paul Schnabel emphasizes the public unrest, “which has also been seen in Austria, a country that we usually perceive as calm.” “People are tired and that’s not good for anyone,” he says by phone. He believes that the calls on social networks have had a lot to do with the presence of young people and minors at night. And he adds: “About 86% of the population is vaccinated in the Netherlands, but the delta variant is much more contagious. We are talking about being supportive and being well informed. It is true that those who do not get vaccinated are a minority group. However, hospitalizations lead while there are still people who handle the pandemic as an abstract concept. “
This Monday, the team of experts that advises the Executive pointed out that the use of masks, the respect of the safety distance of 1.5 meters and the diagnostic tests when there are symptoms of coronavirus have dropped by half in the Netherlands. In the report later sent to the Ministry of Health, these scientists assure that “the only way to prevent new restrictions, including a possible confinement, is to comply with a preventive behavior that has been relaxed.” Although they have not recommended additional provisions for now, Hugo de Jonge, head of Health, has sent three bills to Congress to impose the use of the covid certificate. On the one hand, one would be requested, only valid for vaccinated, or who have had the disease, in places with a high risk of contagion, such as the hotel industry, the cultural sector, events and non-essential services. In educational centers, the certificate obtained through a negative PCR result would also be accepted. Both measures are scheduled to be discussed next week. It is not clear, for now, the route of a third pass – similar to that of educational centers – to access work. It is a much more controversial proposal and it is being analyzed by the deputies.
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