Reporter John Maes is present in Utrecht. Follow his updates at the bottom of this article.
The protesters dispersed after the ME’s call to leave. But many continue to hang around. The people on the terraces remain seated.
At least a thousand hooligans would come to Utrecht, according to well-entered sources from De Telegraaf. Earlier Saturday, deputy chairman of the Utrecht Security Region, Lucas Bolsius, issued an emergency order for the center of Utrecht. He had indications that large groups of rioters would come to the city, including hard core supporters of football clubs.
The police have made approximately fifteen arrests in Utrecht. The arrested persons were part of groups that “were out to disturb public order.” The arrested people were addressed several times and requested to go home, but they refused, the police said.
The order means that anyone who wants to participate in the demonstration on Jaarbeursplein or wants to disturb public order is not welcome in Utrecht and can be removed. Besides the hooligans, there are also protesters against the corona measures.
A spokesman for the municipality of Utrecht said earlier today that crush barriers have been placed on Jaarbeursplein and that ‘different scenarios’ have been taken into account.
‘The Netherlands in rebellion’
A demonstration by ‘the Netherlands in revolt’ against the corona measures would be held on Jaarbeursplein on Saturday, but it was canceled because there were signs of irregularities. The organization, which is rebelling against what it calls the ‘one and a half meter madness’, has indicated that it wants to demonstrate despite the ban.
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Demonstrators have been asked to remain in the center in unobtrusive clothing until the (alternative) location is released at 3.45 p.m. “It’s not going to be fun,” predicted organizer Tinus Koops, who sees on Facebook a day ‘that many will remember’.
The triangle of mayor, Public Prosecution Service and police previously said that it regretted that the demonstration due to the ‘threat of violence’ cannot now go ahead. “This is not a light-hearted decision. It is very regrettable that the fundamental right to demonstrate should be curtailed because a large group of people are out to use the demonstration to commit disorder and violence, “said a statement.
A brawl
Hooligans turned up earlier in demonstrations, such as in The Hague on the Malieveld. They meet or to fight against the police. It previously concerned hooligans from Rotterdam and The Hague, among others.
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