Judge orders Occupy Amsterdam protesters to move

THE HAGUE, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Occupy Amsterdam protesters have till 10am on Saturday morning to pack up their bags and tents, a local court ruled Thursday.

Earlier this week, Amsterdam Mayor Eberhard van der Laan ordered activists to leave the Beursplein in the center of the Dutch capital before 10am on Thursday. However, the decision was contested in court.

The court ruled in favour of the mayor, saying protesters cannot claim the square for a longer period. It also took severe objection to protesters causing a public nuisance especially during the night.

However, emphasizing the right to protest, the judge declared an information stand of the Occupy protesters will be allowed at the square.

Activists have been present at the Beursplein since mid-October. According to the Amsterdam City Council, the occupiers did not comply with rules which forbid more than four people sleeping at the square, for example.

In other cities too, Dutch officials are getting impatient. Rotterdam Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb ordered Occupy protesters to leave before March 31, before terrace season begins in April.