Violent Protests Erupt at University of Amsterdam
In the early hours of Tuesday morning, Dutch police made over 120 arrests at a demonstration camp set up at the University of Amsterdam. The arrests came as protests demanding the downfall of America and Israel spread from U.S. campuses to Europe.
According to authorities, the protests turned violent, prompting the police to intervene to restore order. Videos aired by national broadcaster NOS showed officers using batons and shields to disperse the crowd, dismantling tents and barricades with the help of a mechanical digger.
Fortunately, there were no reported injuries during the police action.
Earlier on Monday, protesters at the Amsterdam campus, taking cues from U.S. counterparts, constructed barricades using wooden pallets and bicycles. Photos from the scene depicted tents adorned with anti-Israel banners and containers of food.
The demonstration, which grew in size as more people joined in, occupied a section of the university grounds. Protesters called on Amsterdam universities to sever academic ties with Israel in response to its conflict with Hamas in Gaza and the mounting civilian casualties.
Despite repeated orders from the police for the protesters to disperse, they remained defiant, prompting law enforcement to clear the makeshift camp.
In a statement, police cited safety concerns, highlighting the obstruction of emergency services by barricades and the risk posed to activists themselves in the event of a disaster.
Following the dispersal of the crowd, the campus reportedly remained calm on Tuesday.
Similar demonstrations have occurred on campuses in France and the United Kingdom in recent days.
