THE HAGUE (Reuters), Saturday, Rotterdam Mayor condemned an “orgy of violence” during protests in Dutch port city against COVID-19. In the demonstrations seven people were hurt and 20 more arrested.

Crowds of several hundred rioters torched cars https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/dutch-police-fire-warning-shots-during-riots-over-covid-19-measures-2021-11-19, set off fireworks and threw rocks at police during the protests on Friday evening. Police responded with water canons, warning shots, and even water canons.

At a Saturday press conference, Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb stated that police were made to pull their guns and fire directly at the officers.

Aboutaleb described the event as “an orgy full of violence. I don’t know how else to describe it.”

The authorities claimed that they have arrested over 20 persons and expect to continue detaining others. Security cameras are constantly monitoring the area where the riots occurred.

Protestors gathered at the venue to protest government plans to make indoor spaces more accessible only to those who possess a Corona Pass, which indicates that they are vaccinated against or have fully recovered from an infection.

People who are not vaccinated but can prove they have passed a positive test may also be eligible for the pass.

The Netherlands placed lockdown restrictions last weekend, for a period of three weeks. This was done to stop a resurgence in coronavirus contagion. However daily infection rates have not fallen since the outbreak.

The number of new cases reported by authorities was more than the 13,000 recorded in December 2020.