The riots near party center De Diamant aan de Touwslagerij in Amstelveen, in which rioters turned against the police, have made quite an impression on local residents. As the damage is repaired Monday morning, it is slowly becoming clear who caused it. It concerns a group of Eritreans who were not invited to the private party that was held in the center.
Amstelveners who want to take the tram at Sakharovlaan have to step over glass shards on Monday morning. The tram and bus shelters have been completely destroyed. The thrown stones are still next to it. The neighborhood is quite shocked by the violent riots of this weekend. “It’s disgraceful that this is happening,” says an elderly man, examining the damage.
Amstelvener Eric lives directly opposite the site where the rioters turned against the police and started throwing stones and glass, among other things. One of them drove a car into police officers. Eric followed the scene from his window. “I’m not easily scared, but now I was shaking,” he describes. “I wanted to go out and defend my house, but luckily I didn’t.” He regrets that the mayor has not yet made personal contact with the neighbourhood.
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Extra security
In the end, the police arrested 24 people, 23 of whom are still in custody. These are people who were not invited to the private party. “We only give private parties,” the owner of the center, who prefers not to publicize his name, tells NH Nieuws this morning. “It is known in advance who will come and these people had not registered.”
The man admits to having taken extra measures because the party was organized by Eritreans. It has happened more often that these kinds of parties got out of hand, for example in 2017 in Zaandam. “That’s why we had twelve security men.”
When the owner of the property realized that the group outside knew the group inside, he ended the party by 3:00 am. Then the riots started, in which the Marechaussee was called in to assist.
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The owner is very sorry that this could have happened. “I immediately said that this is the last time. They are no longer welcome in our party center.” He does want to make sure that everyone is lumped together: “Not all Eritreans are bad.” The damage to his property is minor.
red car
Fortunately, transport company De Gebroerders Gorter, which is located opposite the party center, has no damage. In fact, the company has never had any problems with parties organized at De Diamant. “We are often inconvenienced by drinking bottles and food leftovers that are left behind,” says owner Fred Gorter.
Even today there is still a lot of junk in the industrial area at the Touwslagerij. In addition, a red car was left behind on the site of De Gebroerders Gorter, which is not locked. Yesterday people were seen near the car, but they did not take the car with them. According to the police, it is an accident that has nothing to do with the party. The glass at the tram and bus stop has now been cleared by the municipality.