'War Zone': Massive European protests against COVID-19 lockdowns, vaccine mandates erupt into an 'orgy of violence'



Amid spiking coronavirus cases, Austria announced on Friday that it would implement a full national lockdown, and would also legislate a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for all eligible citizens – the first of its kind in a Western nation. Austria is one of several European countries to dictate more stringent COVID-19 restrictions as a fourth coronavirus wave sweeps the continent. Following the introduction of rigid regulations, protests and riots exploded across Europe.

Three people were hospitalized late Friday after police opened fire on lockdown protesters in downtown Rotterdam in the Netherlands. Rioters reportedly torched cars, launched fireworks, and attacked police. Police attempted to control the crowd with water cannons. Dutch police said that 51 people were arrested during the demonstration against the new COVID-19 restrictions.

Rotterdam Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb called the riot an "orgy of violence."

Local political party Leefbaar Rotterdam condemned the violence, "The center of our beautiful city has this evening transformed into a war zone," it said. "Rotterdam is a city where you can disagree with things that happen but violence is never, never, the solution."

NOW - Violent protests against Covid-restrictions in #Rotterdam, Netherlands.pic.twitter.com/xCTyqiy609
— Disclose.tv (@Disclose.tv) 1637354016


Protests turned violent in the Netherlands as crowds in Rotterdam marched against government plans to make a 'coronavirus pass' mandatory for some indoor venues https://reut.rs/3CCSy4d\u00a0pic.twitter.com/N3haRtyRJQ
— Reuters (@Reuters) 1637406720
Rioting broke out in Rotterdam as the Netherlands government announced plans to restrict the country's coronavirus pass system to only people who are fully vaccinated or have recovered from COVID-19. https://abcn.ws/3oL1dNc\u00a0pic.twitter.com/MNOlPnnLhl
— ABC News (@ABC News) 1637423224

The protests continued in the Netherlands on Saturday, when rioters set fires in Hague.

#Netherlands The Haguepic.twitter.com/POZaZlQSNp
— Nicole Elisei (@Nicole Elisei) 1637444355

In Austria's capital of Vienna, tens of thousands marched against the draconian COVID-19 restrictions.

One of the largest protests in Vienna history today to stop their full lockdown and mandatory \u201cget the jab or go to jail\u201d law.pic.twitter.com/N87zkDENZo
— Aaron Ginn (@Aaron Ginn) 1637420388


Massive protest in Vienna, Austria today against the new lockdown, plus mandatory vaccinations which the tyrannical Austrian government plans to implement starting in February.pic.twitter.com/bOjoBbjj5y
— Brittany Sellner (@Brittany Sellner) 1637411052

In Italy, thousands of Roman protesters rallied against the country's "Green Pass" – the country's certificate of COVID-19 vaccination required to go into workplaces, restaurants, gyms, theaters, and sports venues.

NEW Thousands gather in Rome, Italy in protest against country\u2019s health passpic.twitter.com/hqGjnGRYZb
— Insider Paper (@Insider Paper) 1637450332

In Croatia, thousands gathered in the capital of Zagreb to demonstrate against the government possibly introducing a COVID-19 vaccine pass that would be needed to enter stores, restaurants, gyms, and cinemas.

Croatia against Covid pass.pic.twitter.com/Mw41pSb68X
— Ivan Vilibor Sin\u010di\u0107 MEP (@Ivan Vilibor Sin\u010di\u0107 MEP) 1637424471


Croatiapic.twitter.com/Xz7JbauBEh
— lucy johnston (@lucy johnston) 1637444592

In Denmark, the government is considering reinstituting COVID-19 restrictions that they just lifted in September. Protesters railed against the potential COVID-19 orders.

Denmark stands up with the rest of Europe tonight to call for an end to lockdowns and mandates.pic.twitter.com/dlVmI7aqTC
— Aaron Ginn (@Aaron Ginn) 1637451286

Biden supporters 'murder' effigies of President Trump at packed celebrations across the country



There were massive celebrations across the country as Biden supporters reveled after multiple news outlets declared Joe Biden as the victor in the 2020 presidential election. During some of the Biden rallies, the fervent crowd attacked effigies of President Donald Trump.

A huge horde of people gathered near the White House on Saturday, where it was so jam-packed that photojournalist Ford Fischer said, "social distancing isn't really possible."

"One Biden supporter is carrying around an effigy of Trump's decapitated head on a pike wearing a pacifier and a pig-nose," Fischer wrote on Twitter.

(Content Warning: Graphic content)

One Biden supporter is carrying around an effigy of President Trump's decapitated head on a pike wearing a pacifier… https://t.co/93bsN8iuky
— Ford Fischer (@Ford Fischer)1604780832.0

In Philadelphia, the fiery crowd took turns punching, kicking, and throwing around an inflatable doll with Trump's face on it.

Before a man kicked the Trump doll, a woman is heard shrieking, "Kill that b*tch!" One man smashes a bicycle on the effigy of the president. The throngs of Biden supporters cheered every time the Trump doll was pummeled.

According to a Twitter video description, one man "murdered" the effigy of Trump with a motorcycle, and then people in the crowd stomped on what was left of the "rag doll."

About a 1K people milled about #PhiladelphiaCityHall this afternoon, centered around a cone-shaped pillow-like item… https://t.co/jomtspSYHL
— Daniel Pipes دانيال بايبس (@Daniel Pipes دانيال بايبس)1604790597.0



The rag doll was murdered with a motorcycle https://t.co/NG1PRaXz02
— jason n. peters (@jason n. peters)1604785595.0

In Madison, Wisconsin, Biden supporters danced and sang "F*** Donald Trump." One man is seen waving a "Back Lives Matter" flag in one hand while holding a bloody fake head of a beheaded Trump in the other hand. Also in Madison, a man brutally attacked another reveler at a Biden rally.

A BLM protester holds effigy of a beheaded Donald Trump while Biden supporters sing "Fu*k Donald Trump" here in Mad… https://t.co/weIO3T6VRF
— Rebecca Brannon (@Rebecca Brannon)1604782594.0


Demonic. Biden supporters & BLM celebrate effigy of President Trump beheaded while singing 'F*ck Donald Trump'. https://t.co/uex8moxjtD
— Rebecca Brannon (@Rebecca Brannon)1604783979.0

In Columbus, Ohio, Biden supporters were seen taking turns battering a mannequin dressed up as Trump. The effigy had Trump's signature red tie, a "Make American Great Again" hat, and a "MAGA" flag. The crowd erupts in jubilation as the doll is clobbered.

Across the street, the crowd is knocking down a boxing dummy dressed as President Trump. #10TV https://t.co/Df5IQTV03q
— Brittany Bailey (@Brittany Bailey)1604792309.0

The large gatherings happened despite previous warnings by the media labeling Trump rallies as "super spreader" events.

Earlier on Saturday, Biden called for "unity."

"With the campaign over, it's time to put the anger and the harsh rhetoric behind us and come together as a nation," Biden said. "It's time for America to unite. And to heal.

During Biden's "victory" speech on Saturday night, the former vice president also called for unity.

Assistant principal who went on 'f*** the police' tirade placed on leave: 'They can f*** right off, America!'



The New York assistant principal who went on a "f*** the police" tirade at a Black Lives Matter protest in Rochester has been placed on leave.

"Mr. Steven Lysenko is a tenured administrator with due process rights. He has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation," the Spencerport Central School District's website noted. "We appreciate the outpouring of emails, posts and comments regarding this matter, and we hope you understand that given this is a pending investigation we are unable to respond. Thank you for your patience."

What's the background?

Lysenko of Spencerport High School in suburban Rochester expressed anger during a Facebook Live video Saturday describing an encounter with cops on a bridge.

"Our peacekeepers ended up shooting pepper spray at us for singing and chanting and telling them what a s***ty-assed job they were doing. They can f*** right off, America!" Lysenko said.

"F*** the police!" he screamed while wearing a Black Lives Matter shirt. "F*** Rochester Police Department!"

Here's the clip. (Content warning: Language):

This is Steven Lysenko, assistant principal at Spencerport High School in Rochester. He was at the riot last night… https://t.co/qSaXyL11G2
— Brittany (@Brittany)1599325340.0

The video went viral and reportedly outraged some families, according to WROC-TV.

The school district initially issued a statement denouncing Lysenko's behavior but stopping short of revealing what discipline would be handed down:

Response to a social media video of district employee at the Rochester protest. As we have stated consistently and clearly, Spencerport Central School District stands in solidarity in support of racial equality and systemic change. We remain committed to this change, and want all of our families to know we further stand in solidarity with peaceful protesters. However, when a District employee uses language in public or on social media that does not align with our Code of Conduct or demonstrate appropriate role modeling for students, that is something that we will not condone. These statements by our administrator have caused disruption within our school community. We apologize to our students, parents and community that you had to hear this language from one of our employees.

How are folks reacting?

A Change.org petition demanding the district spare Lysenko has garnered over 7,200 of the 7,500 signature goal as of Tuesday afternoon. Another Change.org petition wants Lysenko fired and has attracted nearly 6,000 of the 7,500 signature goal as of Tuesday afternoon.

One person tweeted that Lysenko "is legitimately the one of very few employees in the SCSD that works to better our district for [people of color] students and families" while another countered that "such crass language and hatred — on a public platform — for [Rochester police] is a disgrace. This does not reflect what Spencerport is truly about."

Lysenko has worked at the district since 2011, and on Sunday he declined to comment to the Democrat & Chronicle.

Anything else?

Protests have raged in Rochester of late, some of which have turned hostile, including protesters tormenting diners. On Saturday night, three Rochester police officers were hospitalized after rioters threw bottles and rocks — as well as shot fireworks — at them.

The unrest stems from the release of bodycam video of the arrest of Daniel Prude, who died while in the custody of Rochester police in March. Seven police officers have been suspended for their involvement in the arrest.

On Tuesday, the city's entire police command staff — including Chief La'Ron Singletary — stepped down over the issue. Singletary said he's resigning because his character was being maligned.

"As a man of integrity, I will not sit idly by while outside entities attempt to destroy my character. The events over the past week are an attempt to destroy my character and integrity," he said.

(H/T: The Police Tribune)

New York assistant principal goes on profanity-laced tirade at Rochester BLM protest: 'F*** the police!'



A New York assistant principal is facing scrutiny after delivering a profanity-laced tirade during a Black Lives Matter protest in Rochester. Steven Lysenko, a ninth-grade AP teacher at Spencerport High School in suburban Rochester, is accused of spewing anti-cop rhetoric during a Facebook Live video. The school district was forced to issue a statement after some parents were outraged over the expletive-laden rant.

Lysenko participated in a Black Lives Matter protest in Rochester on Saturday. Following what he deemed as an overaggressive encounter with Rochester police, the assistant principal launched into an enraged diatribe.

Lysenko started the video by introducing himself as the president of the local chapter of the National Association for Multicultural Education. The teacher said that he and other demonstrators marched in Rochester as "an act of protest." He continued by claiming, "We didn't do anything but chant and sing."

Lysenko and the group of BLM demonstrators allegedly confronted Rochester police officers on a bridge.

"Our peacekeepers ended up shooting pepper spray at us for singing and chanting and telling them what a s***ty-assed job they were doing," Lysenko said in anger. "They can f*** right off, America!"

"F*** the police," he screamed while wearing a Black Lives Matter shirt. "F*** Rochester police Department!"

This is Steven Lysenko, assistant principal at Spencerport High School in Rochester. He was at the riot last night… https://t.co/qSaXyL11G2
— Brittany (@Brittany)1599325340.0

The video went viral on social media, which reportedly caused some families to be outraged, according to WROC-TV.

The Spencerport Central School District issued a statement on the assistant principal's rant:

Response to a social media video of district employee at the Rochester protest. As we have stated consistently and clearly, Spencerport Central School District stands in solidarity in support of racial equality and systemic change. We remain committed to this change, and want all of our families to know we further stand in solidarity with peaceful protesters. However, when a District employee uses language in public or on social media that does not align with our Code of Conduct or demonstrate appropriate role modeling for students, that is something that we will not condone. These statements by our administrator have caused disruption within our school community. We apologize to our students, parents and community that you had to hear this language from one of our employees.

The school district said the situation "will be addressed as a confidential, personnel matter."

Lyssenko's apparent Twitter bio states that he is an "advocate for social justice," as reported in the New York Post. In June, a tweet from the account read, "To any students-past or present-who follow me here: know that when you post "#WhiteLivesMatter, you are condoning White Supremacy. In that I will not abide!"

Also in June, he appeared on a Facebook video apologizing for using "police-centric and police-friendly language."

Lysenko did not immediately respond to requests for a comment on the situation from the New York Post.

There have been protests in Rochester for the last four nights, some of which have turned hostile, including protesters tormenting diners. On Saturday night, three Rochester police officers were taken to the hospital after being attacked by rioters who threw bottles and rocks at them, as well as shooting fireworks at the cops.

The protests stem from the release of bodycam video of the arrest of Daniel Prude, who died while in the custody of Rochester police in March. Seven police officers have been suspended for their involvement in the arrest of Prude.