Utrecht – By Mohamed Selim Aziz: Around 100 protesters gathered this evening at Vredenburg Square to protest what they described as “police violence,” following an incident that occurred under the Bollendak canopy near Utrecht Central Station. Demonstrators held signs with slogans such as “Hands Off” and “No Justice, No Peace,” while chanting against racial profiling and demanding an end to police brutality.

Participants emphasized that the movement rejects the “abuse of power” and reflects a systemic issue in how police interact with minorities, particularly Muslim women. Steffie Nolten, a representative from the BIJ1 party, attended the rally and called for clear boundaries regarding police conduct.

The Municipality of Utrecht allowed the gathering to proceed despite it not being officially registered, and police monitored the scene without intervention. In contrast, the police union reported that the officer involved has received serious threats. Meanwhile, the lawyer representing the two affected women announced that they would file a formal complaint involving allegations of assault, attempted grievous bodily harm, and breach of professional protocols.

The case remains under investigation, as public debate continues regarding the use of force by police in the Netherlands.