Corona Daily 201: A Riotous January

2021 has started with riots. This month, violent protests have happened in at least seven countries.  

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The Dutch government banned all school parties (no birthdays, costume shows, musicals) from 4 January to 12 February. Starting 23 January, Netherlands has curfew between 21.00 and 04.30, a first since World War II. Fine for violations is 95 Euros ($115). Coronavirus seems to have no knowledge of Brexit. Its UK variant is effortlessly moving from Britain to Europe. The Dutch government is naturally worried. Bars and restaurants have been closed since October, schools and shops were shut in December.

Since last weekend, protesters gathered in at least ten cities defying the lockdown, attacking police, looting stores, and destroying property. On Sunday, police deployed dogs, water cannons and horse-riding officers to disperse a demonstration in central Amsterdam. Two hundred arrests were made. In Urk, young people set ablaze a coronavirus testing centre, as if that was a way to reduce the number of cases.

Eindhoven in the South saw the worst violence, with rioters throwing stones, knives and fireworks at the police, damaging the railway station. The mayor called them “the scum of the earth” and feared the Netherlands was headed towards civil war.  

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Israel, with a sudden increase in cases has introduced a strict lockdown. From today, Israel’s only International airport will be shut for a week. The ultra-orthodox Jewish community had sought exemptions from lockdowns, arguing their customs don’t allow forgoing religious education, gatherings for weddings, funerals and worship.

On Sunday, as the police tried to clear religious gatherings and classes, the orthodox crowd started throwing rocks on them. Rioters burned trash and toppled street signs and light poles in several cities across Israel. In Bnei Brak, a bus driver was pulled out, attacked with pepper spray, and the bus completely torched. Several surrounding buildings were evacuated as the blaze damaged electrical lines. In some places, police used stun grenades and water cannons.

Secular Israelis are upset because the recklessness of the ultra-orthodox areas is nullifying the lockdown efforts of others. Haredi communities (ultra-orthodox) account for 35% infection, though they make up only 10% of the population. Images of Haredi weddings and crowded synagogues are going viral on social media.

Israeli elections happen on average every six months, the next one is in March. PM Netanyahu needs the support of the ultra-orthodox Jews for his coalition. He is relaxed about enforcing restrictions on this community.

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Since last weekend violent protests have erupted in at least 15 locations across Tunisia. More than 600 people have been arrested, most of them aged 15-25. Army is on the streets, protecting government buildings. The riots are in response to declining living conditions, poverty and unemployment. Unemployment among young has risen from 15% pre-pandemic to 36%. Tunisia has lost its vital tourism sector, including ancillary industries that provide goods and services to tourist resorts.  

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On 6 January, while Trump’s army was raiding Capitol Hill, in Hong Kong the Chinese government was busy arresting pro-democracy opposition. More than 1000 officers arrested 53 individuals (including one American) accusing them of “subverting state power”. On the pretext of the pandemic, Hong Kong elections have been postponed by a year to September 2021. The arrested individuals were potential candidates who had dared to run unofficial primaries.

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On 23 January, 3700 Russians were arrested during anti-Putin protests across Russia. Alexei Navalny, a 44-year-old brave man with nine lives, survived Novichok poison in his underwear (no limits to the depths Putin can reach to get rid of his opponents). Despite threats, Navalny returned from Germany and was duly imprisoned for fictional crimes by a court-in-name-only. He then released a remarkable two-hour film called Putin’s Palace (92 million views in one week). The Russian demonstrators finally, loudly and publicly called their dictator a thief. The next protests will happen on 31 January, and may become a weekly affair like in Belarus.

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Indian farmers are up in arms over new farm laws. In today’s tractor rally, one farmer died and eighteen cops are in hospital, one of them critical.

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Of all the January protests and riots, the Washington riot was the odd one out. It was the only one ordered by the man in power.

Ravi