Amsterdam Riots Continue For Sixth Day

Riots continue to pummel the city of Amsterdam for a sixth day. They began when a Muslim immigrant stabbed two police officers, and was shot and killed.

Disturbances broke out for a sixth successive night in an immigrant quarter of Amsterdam on Saturday when four cars were set on fire, police said.

The unrest started after police shot dead a man of Moroccan origin last weekend who had stabbed and injured two officers.

Saturday's fires brought the total number of burnt cars to 11, a police spokesman said.

The 22-year-old Moroccan had been undergoing treatment for psychiatric problems and had in the past been questioned over contacts with Islamic militants linked to the murderer of Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh.

The guy posed a mortal threat to the police, which acted appropriately given the circumstances (he had already stabbed two police officers), and yet riots ensue?

It doesn't take much to set off these immigrant populations, does it?

Six days of this, and no sign of it letting up.

The circumstances parallel those that launched the Paris riots two years ago, and one can only hope that the Dutch authorities can keep things from spiraling out of control.

Police consider the judges to be too soft on Moroccan immigrants who have committed crimes. Revolving door justice also is playing a role as some of those involved have been arrested and released multiple times.

Moroccan organizations are urging calm, though I wonder how much good it is doing considering that these same organizations are calling on the authorities to be more restrained, which is a recipe for disaster.

UPDATE:
Pajamas Media has a good roundup and background on the situation in Amsterdam.