Warning shots by the police: Riots during a demonstration against 2-G rules in Rotterdam

Protesters reacted to the Dutch government’s new corona plans with arson and violence. Thereafter, only those who have been vaccinated and recovered will have access to events, cafes and restaurants.

B.A demonstration by hundreds of people against stricter corona measures led to violent riots in the Dutch port city of Rotterdam. There had been arson in various places and fireworks had been fired, said the police in Rotterdam on Friday evening. Officials had fired several warning shots. A large contingent tries to restore order. The riot police are also used. Initially, there was no mention of injuries.

As reported by the Dutch radio and TV broadcaster NOS, at least one police car was set on fire and others were damaged. Objects were thrown at firefighters and police officers. Pictures showed fires on the sidewalk, chairs thrown and dumpsters pushed onto the street. A police car was ablaze. The train traffic to and from Rotterdam has been suspended until further notice due to the riots, said the Dutch Railways. There are no replacement buses.

The rally, which several organizations had called, was directed against plans by the government to introduce a 2-G rule in view of the worsening corona situation. Access to events, cafés and restaurants was then only given to those who had been vaccinated and those who had recovered. After a curfew was imposed in the Netherlands in January, there had already been serious riots in several cities with millions in damages. With the planned measures, the government is also reacting to the new highs in the country. The seven-day incidence in the Netherlands is well over 700.