Workers clear debris from a damaged car in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on Saturday, November 20. There were violent clashes the night before as people protested against the country's new Covid-19 restrictions.
In pictures: Europeans protest Covid-19 restrictions
Workers clear debris from a damaged car in Rotterdam, Netherlands, on Saturday, November 20. There were violent clashes the night before as people protested against the country's new Covid-19 restrictions.
Robin Utrecht/ABACA/Reuters

Published 4:57 PM EST, Mon November 22, 2021

Protesters in several European countries gathered over the weekend to push back against new Covid-19 restrictions.

Some of the demonstrations turned violent.

There were clashes Friday night in the Dutch city of Rotterdam, and police were forced to fire gunshots to disperse the crowd. The Netherlands recently re-entered three weeks of partial lockdown because of the coronavirus.

Rioting broke out at The Hague, Netherlands, on Saturday. Video from the scene showed riot police deploying water cannons and charging groups of demonstrators. Five police officers were hurt.

There were also some clashes in Vienna, Austria, where an estimated 40,000 protesters crowded the streets on Saturday. Austria re-introduced a partial lockdown on Monday and will make vaccinations mandatory from February next year.

Protesters gather in Rotterdam's Coolsingel street on Friday.
Protesters gather in Rotterdam's Coolsingel street on Friday.
Killian Lindenburg/ANP/AFP/Getty Images
A protester burns a face mask during an anti-lockdown demonstration in Vienna, Austria, on Saturday.
A protester burns a face mask during an anti-lockdown demonstration in Vienna, Austria, on Saturday.
Vadim Ghirda/AP
Members and supporters of the French Nationalist Party demonstrate in front of the Louvre Museum in Paris on Saturday. They were protesting against the Covid-19 health pass needed for certain activities in the country.
Members and supporters of the French Nationalist Party demonstrate in front of the Louvre Museum in Paris on Saturday. They were protesting against the Covid-19 health pass needed for certain activities in the country.
Michel Stoupak/Nurpho/AP
A man burns a flag during a protest in Zagreb, Croatia, on Saturday. Around 15,000 people were protesting the Croatian government's coronavirus measures. From Monday, only people with Covid passports can enter government and public buildings in Croatia.
A man burns a flag during a protest in Zagreb, Croatia, on Saturday. Around 15,000 people were protesting the Croatian government's coronavirus measures. From Monday, only people with Covid passports can enter government and public buildings in Croatia.
AP
A man walks in front of a fire that was started in a street in The Hague, Netherlands, on Saturday. Rioting broke out over the Dutch government's new coronavirus measures.
A man walks in front of a fire that was started in a street in The Hague, Netherlands, on Saturday. Rioting broke out over the Dutch government's new coronavirus measures.
Danny Kemp/AFP/Getty Images
Green smoke envelops a police officer during the protests in Vienna on Saturday.
Green smoke envelops a police officer during the protests in Vienna on Saturday.
Aaron Karasek/Sipa/AP
People protest in Zagreb on Saturday.
People protest in Zagreb on Saturday.
Stipe Majic/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
A protester clashes with police in Brussels, Belgium, on Sunday.
A protester clashes with police in Brussels, Belgium, on Sunday.
Hatim Kaghat/Sipa/AP
Police work at the scene of protests in Rotterdam on Friday.
Police work at the scene of protests in Rotterdam on Friday.
Hollandse Hoogte/Shutterstock
Anti-lockdown protesters hold torches in Vienna on Saturday.
Anti-lockdown protesters hold torches in Vienna on Saturday.
Vadim Ghirda/AP
A man is detained by police during protests in Vienna on Saturday. More than 1,400 police officers were deployed across Austria to maintain public order, according to a police statement.
A man is detained by police during protests in Vienna on Saturday. More than 1,400 police officers were deployed across Austria to maintain public order, according to a police statement.
Aaron Karasek/Sipa/AP
Protesters in London hold photos of veterans' coffins as they protest Covid-19 restrictions on Saturday.
Protesters in London hold photos of veterans' coffins as they protest Covid-19 restrictions on Saturday.
Guy Smallman/Getty Images