Netherlands: Anti-lockdown protesters clash with police

Dutch police charged hundreds of what they called soccer fans with horses and a water cannon in The Hague at a protest Sunday and warned people to stay away from the city centre.

“This has nothing to do with a normal demonstration,” The Hague police said in a message on Twitter. “The atmosphere is grim.”

It was unclear exactly how many people had gathered on Sunday after The Hague mayor urged people during the week not to turn up for a weekend demonstration targeting the Dutch government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

Helmeted police with shields were seen sealing off certain areas as a water cannon was making its way through.