Glass and stones thrown at police in Floradorp, two arrests
Police arrested two individuals in Amsterdam's Floradorp neighborhood after crowds threw glass, stones, and fireworks at officers during ongoing unrest. The disturbances are rooted in a traditional practice of lighting bonfires that was recently banned by the mayor, leading to consecutive days of confrontation and multiple arrests.
Unrest escalated in the Floradorp neighborhood of Amsterdam as individuals threw glass and stones at police officers, resulting in the arrests of a 14-year-old boy for public violence and a 39-year-old man for throwing fireworks. Law enforcement deployed the Mobile Unit and an arrest team to restore order following a week of persistent tensions that began last Wednesday. This incident follows a series of fires lit in the area over recent days, which have led to ten total arrests, including a 22-year-old man sentenced to community service for his involvement in the disorder.
The unrest is linked to a long-standing tradition of lighting bonfires in Floradorp, which Mayor Femke Halsema banned in 2025 citing safety concerns. Residents believe the current conflict was triggered by a recent death in the neighborhood and frustration over the strict enforcement of the fire ban. While authorities briefly observed a calm period over the weekend, tensions flared again on Monday, leaving community members worried that further disturbances could continue until the New Year.
Based on reporting by parool. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.
