Amsterdam police have arrested 17 people at a squatters’ demonstration for breaking the conditions set by the mayor for the protest. On local television AT5, Mayor Eberhard van der Laan appealed to squatters to demonstrate in front of the town hall and not on the busy Spui square.

The squatters were told they would not be allowed to cover their faces with balaclavas or helmets and they were not allowed to mingle with shoppers. Nor were they allowed to wear visible protective gear. The police say some of them were carrying banners attached to poles which could have been used as weapons.

The squatters were protesting against the introduction of a ban on squatting exactly one year ago. Until then squatters had had the right to occupy buildings that had remained empty for a whole year.

(nc/ae)

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