Johan Remkes, acting mayor of The Hague, says that the appeal of the Virus Madness group to come to the Malieveld on Sunday to demonstrate is “irresponsible”. He calls protesters again Friday evening not to protest the corona measures and the crownspoedwet to go.
On Friday, Remkes banned the demonstration reported by Virus Madness that should take place on the Malieveld next Sunday. Due to its expected size, the demonstration would pose a “health hazard”.
The organization of the protest then called for Sunday to come to the Malieveld, and to demonstrate on a ‘personal title’. “The judge has banned Virus Madness to organize the demonstration. We, on a personal basis, are on the Malieveld on Sunday,” Virus Madness said in a message on Facebook.
Because the demonstration is prohibited, being present in a personal capacity is also a criminal offense, says Remkes. “What’s even more annoying is that the people who call for ‘just go and don’t care about a ban’ because this would be an attack on the rule of law actually create a situation of lawlessness and chaos. That is completely irresponsible.”
Again signals that rioters would come to protest
In addition, according to Remkes, there are again signals that not only demonstrators would come to the demonstration, but also “groups that are out for chaos and violence”. Last week, the protest got out of hand, when not only protesters, but also football hooligans headed for the city. In total, more than 400 people were arrested.
Anyone who goes to town on Sunday will be addressed by the police and asked to turn around, Remkes writes. “Anyone who disregards that command does so at their own risk.”
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