“We are present on Dam Square in large numbers because of a prohibited demonstration,” Amsterdam police said late Wednesday.
“We have ordered the demonstrators to leave. Some of them then left voluntarily. The remaining demonstrators are surrounded by police officers. They have been arrested and will be transported in waiting buses.”
Some protesters were wearing masks, although face coverings are prohibited under a temporary emergency ordinance issued by authorities.
Police, present with many officers, vans, and riot police, intervened briefly, calling “everyone to leave Dam Square,” but then left protesters alone, reporters saw.
Those attending the pro-Palestine rally were able to continue their protest till police broke up the massive gathering.
Amsterdam’s local authorities (the mayor, police chief, and chief public prosecutor) issued an emergency ordinance after numerous people were injured during a “Jews hunt” by Arab Muslims.
The decree designates the city as “a high-risk security area,” enabling preventive searches and banning protests, officials said.
The emergency ordinance was to expire on Thursday at noon local time.
However, “a security risk area will remain in effect” until Sunday. “Due to the ongoing unrest in the city and the online threats to a number of schools in Amsterdam,” the Amsterdam leadership said.
Within this area, police can “preventively search” anyone, authorities announced.
Although the demonstration was moved to the Westergasterrein (Western Gast Terrain), many demonstrators stayed on Dam Square shouting “Free Palestine!” and other slogans.
During an emergency debate in parliament, critics said, “Amsterdam is moving toward anarchy.”
Dutch anti-Islam politician Geert Wilders said he will present a motion to parliament calling for the resignation of Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema.
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