Amsterdam authorities have declared a large portion of the city center a security risk area ahead of an anti-immigration demonstration planned for Saturday afternoon at Museumplein.
The expanded zone includes key areas such as Centraal Station, the Red Light District, Nieuwmarkt, Dam Square, and Rembrandtplein. Police are authorized to conduct preventive searches, and wearing face coverings is prohibited.
The number of expected participants is unknown, as both police and city officials declined to provide estimates. The organizing group, Nederland in Opstand,
urged participants to keep the protest peaceful.
Initially, the demonstration was set for Dam Square, but officials moved it to Museumplein citing safety concerns, partly due to the Netherlands national soccer team playing in the Johan Cruijff ArenA, which is expected to bring additional crowds to the city center and Dam Square.
Author's summary: Amsterdam expands security zone for protest.