Austria is in a lockdown as of today, while measures have been tightened in the Netherlands, Belgium and several other countries. This has caused violent protests.
As of today, Austria has entered into a general lockdown until December 13 at the latest. The Austrian government has decided that this state of restrictions will not continue after this date, but has warned that from February 1, the compulsory vaccination will take effect. Measures have been tightened in the Netherlands, Belgium and many other countries, and this has caused protests in these countries. Over the weekend in many Austrian cities have protested with tens of thousands of opponents of vaccination and government measures. There have also been protests in Croatia, Belgium, Switzerland and several other countries. But the biggest escalation of violence has been achieved in the Netherlands.
Violence in the Netherlands
For the third night in a row on Sunday evening there were protests in many cities of the Netherlands, due to restrictive measures against the Corona pandemic. Even on the third night there was violence and arrests. Police say that since Friday, about 145 demonstrators have been arrested in this country, most of them young. Demonstrators hurled pyrotechnics and other objects at police and set fires in several places.
There were incidents in Leeuwarden, Groningen, Enschede and Tilburg, among others, while at the weekend there was violence in The Hague and Rotterdam. Në Enschede, ku është vendosur edhe masa e ndalim-qarkullimit natën, policia ka bërë përpjepkje të parandalojë demonstruesit me dhunë, siç shihet në një video të publikuar në rrjete. While the police in Leeuwarden were attacked with stones and other means.
Thousands gathered in Amsterdam for a protest march, although the protest was called off after violence in Rotterdam on Friday. The protest was secured by large police forces and passed peacefully.
Protests in Belgium
According to the police, about 35,000 opponents of the restrictive measures of the local government have gathered in Brussels and have protested against the measures and against the government. But they have primarily opposed the government’s move to show the vaccination document at the entrances to restaurants and other facilities.
The Belgian government has imposed restrictions on the fight against the pandemic. It also requires extending the vaccination process to adults and children. Where possible, employees should work from home at least four days a week. The government demands faster vaccination of children aged 5-11./DW