Possible first breakdown in Dutch discipline? Monday there was a protest planned in Dam Square, Amsterdam, against racism and police brutality sparked by the death of George Floyd. The organisers said they were expecting between 300 and 500 people to attend. When police and the mayor did an online check there were 1200 "registered as interested". It's well known that a huge % of those who indicate interest for an event don't turn up. The number rose through the afternoon to 2200. Still not an issue really as you could get that many on Dam Square with 3m spacing. In the end an estimated 5K turned out and maybe 20% to 30% weren't keeping to the 1.5m social distancing. 95% were wearing face masks. I hope we don't see a spike in 2 weeks time. More about the consequences later.
There was a 2nd yesterday on the Maliveld in the Hague which was attended by another 4K. The Maliveld is huge, often has concerts with 40K so there was no spacing issue they say but the paths leading to it aren't massively wide...... again I hope there's no CV backlash.
Another one planned for today in Rotterdam. That too is planned for a huge open space allowing proper distancing....... hopefully.
The Mayor of Amsterdam has been criticised for not sending the police in once the numbers grew rapidly. She, in discussions with the Justice Minister decided a) as well as the CV rules there is the right to protest enshrined in Law b) the numbers were already way too large that sending the police in would lead to trouble c) they wouldn't send in the police although some police did start asking demonstrators politely if they wouldn't mind going home.........
A top lawyer has come out and said that the actions by Mayor and Minister yesterday show randmoness in the application of the CV rules and that anybody who has been fined the €395 for breaking lockdown/social distancing rules now has a great argument to appeal and have their conviction quashed and the money refunded..... that's around 14000 people........
Also, the same top lawyer said that if somebody gets CV and the source is tracked to the demonstration that they could sue the City and the government for failing in their duty to protect and win a shedload of money in the court case.
Amsterdam council has called a special meeting for tomorrow evening in which the Mayor will have to defend her actions.......