RIOT police armed with batons and shields clashed with thousands of anti-lockdown protesters in the Dutch capital today.
Crowds gathered in Amsterdam‘s Museum Square to object against Covid-19 measures and vaccinations – despite a country-wide ban on group meet-ups.
A police dog attacks a demonstrator protesting against Covid restrictions in the Netherlands[/caption]
A protester holds a sign reading ‘Vrijheid’ or ‘Freedom’[/caption]
Dutch riot police beat a protestor during clashes in Amsterdam[/caption]
City Mayor Femke Halsema issued emergency orders allowing cops to clear the area of rule-breakers during the latest wave of virus infections.
Water cannons were used to disperse swarms of people, while police dogs attacked those getting too close.
Officers also thrashed activists with batons as tempers flared.
Footage of the demo shows a cop whacking a woman over the head with his shield.
In another clip, things turn even more violent when a dog sinks its teeth into a protester’s arm and drags him along the ground.
The angry mob marched along the main thoroughfare playing music and holding yellow umbrellas – a sign of opposition to the government-imposed restrictions.
Some dressed in white overalls and masks and held signs reading, “it’s not about a virus, it’s about control” on one side and “freedom” on the other.
The Netherlands went into a sudden lockdown on December 19 after a spike in infections.
All but essential shops were ordered to close, as well as restaurants, hairdressers, gyms, museums and other public places.
Gatherings of more than two people are also prohibited until at least January 14, including for protests.
Like other European countries, the Netherlands imposed the measures to prevent a fresh surge of Omicron cases and help the already strained healthcare system.
Most have acted despite a string of hugely positive studies show Omicron IS milder than other strains, with the first official UK report revealing the risk of hospitalisation is 50 to 70 per cent lower than with Delta.
Covid booster jabs protect against Omicron and offer the best chance to get through the pandemic, health officials have repeatedly said.
The Sun’s Jabs Army campaign is helping get the vital extra vaccines in Brits’ arms to ward off the need for any new restrictions.
ON THE RISE
Coronavirus infection rates had been gradually decreasing for weeks in the Netherlands, which re-introduced lockdown measures in November and tightened them further during the festive season, before a spike after Christmas.
Over the last seven days, there have been 532 fresh infections reported per 100,000 people, with an average of 13,182 new cases each day.
This compares to 1,565 per 100,000 in the UK, and a record average of 149,513 positive cases daily, according to Reuters.
Despite the UK reporting record high cases, most people were able to enjoy a near-normal Christmas, with those in England also free to celebrate the New Year without restrictions.
Cases soared over the festive period, but Brits are being urged to learn to “live alongside” the virus in 2022 rather than deal with further measures, which have been described as an “absolute last resort”.
While action has been taken in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to curb the spread, Boris Johnson is not expected to impose new restrictions in England during next week’s update.
Huge crowds gather to oppose Covid restrictions in the country[/caption]
Clashes erupt between anti-riot officers and anti-vaxxers in Amsterdam[/caption]
An activist holds up a banner against the restrictions imposed to contain the spread of coronavirus[/caption]
A chain protects protesters in the Dutch capital[/caption]
Protesters dressed in white hold signs as they defy a ban on public gatherings[/caption]
Dutch anti-riot police swarm on demonstrators in the capital[/caption]