Today in Rotterdam, the anti-Islam organization, Pegida, was scheduled to hold a Koran-burning event. Instead, police shut down the event, seized the Koran, and arrested the leader, Edwin Wagenveld for shouting something negative about Islam (We don't know what). Several Muslim counter-protesters showed up and reportedly showered the cops with eggs and smoke bombs to show their gratitude.
The below written article from today's NOS.nl is translated by Fousesquawk. A translated video is pending.
https://nos.nl/artikel/2449358-korte-tijd-onrust-in-rotterdam-rond-pegida-actie-en-tegenbetoging
Brief unrest in Rotterdam at Pegida action and counter-protest
There was a short period of unrest near the Rotterdam Central Train Station today. The reason was a scheduled Koran-burning by the anti-Islam movement Pegida, which attracted hundreds of counter-demonstrators.
Pegida was to start demonstrating at 2 pm on the station square, and there was a plan to burn a Koran. However, it did not happen: The police seized the Koran from Pegida leader Edwin Wagensveld in order "to prevent escalation and thus, serious disorder." Wagensveld was arrested because, according to police, he shouted "an insulting slogan". Other than Wagenveld, there were very few Pegida followers, said a police spokesperson.
The counter-protesters, mostly young Muslims, burst into cheers. The mobile (police) unit was deployed to contain the group of youths. They often shouted, "Allahu Akhbar" and, according to the regional news outlet, Rijnmond, threw eggs and smoke bombs at police.
Caption: There are a lot of police in the center of Rotterdam
Previously, various parties had objected to the burning event. For example, the Muslim umbrella organization, Spior, sent in a notice of objection, and the political fraction, Denk, requested an emergency debate. Deputy Mayor Robert Simons subsequently wrote in a letter to the city council that it was forbidden to light a fire in public space, and that therefore, the Koran-burning could not go forward.
Tweet from Paul Verspeek with photo:
Pegida leader Edwin Wagenveld is arrested for "insulting the faith".
As promised above, here is a video from Algemeen Dagblad. Hat tip Gates of Vienna and Vlad Tepes for sub-titling. Translation by Fousesquawk.
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