Breitbart
Police have said at least two people may have been shot as a result of officers firing warning shots during violent protests in Rotterdam on Friday evening, as demonstrations against the Dutch government’s decision to enact another coronavirus lockdown descended into chaotic riots.
Several people were injured in the riots in Rotterdam on Friday, including police officers, who were pelted with stones and fireworks. Police, in turn, deployed water cannons and fired “warning shots” which they say may have injured at least two people.
“We fired warning shots and there were also direct shots fired because the situation was life-threatening,” police spokeswoman Patricia Wessels said per The Times.
“We know that at least two people were wounded, probably as a result of the warning shots, but we need to investigate the exact causes further.”
According to a police statement, the demonstration started with around 100 people gathering at 8 pm on the Coolsingel, one of the Dutch city’s most famed streets. However, the demonstration soon swelled to hundreds.
Protests turned violent in the Netherlands as crowds in Rotterdam marched against government plans to make a ‘coronavirus pass’ mandatory for some indoor venues https://t.co/zqTADgZZiW pic.twitter.com/N3haRtyRJQ
— Reuters (@Reuters) November 20, 2021
After turning violent, with protesters setting fires to cars — including at least one police car — as well as public infrastructure, the police issued orders for people to leave the city centre, announcing through loudspeakers, “Violence will be used or people will be arrested” if they failed to leave, the local NRC reported.
Rotterdam Police said that at times the situation was so “dangerous and threatening” that police felt the need to fire warning shots.
The country’s National Criminal Investigation Department is reportedly investigating the actions taken by the police.
Rotterdam police clash with rioters as Covid protest turns violent https://t.co/dsJGcqniXn pic.twitter.com/zG9fyWFliT
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) November 20, 2021
Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb described the evening as having been an “orgy of violence”. Aboutaleb said that at least 20 protesters have been arrested, but added that many more are expected after police review camera footage.
Justice Minister Ferd Grapperhaus condemned the actions taken by the protesters, saying: “The riots and extreme violence against police officers, riot police and firefighters last night in Rotterdam are disgusting to see.
