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Dutch police clash with anti-immigration protesters in The Hague
Dutch police deployed teargas and water cannons on Saturday in The Hague to disperse violent anti-immigration protesters, according to local authorities. The unrest resulted in 30 arrests and left two police officers injured. Officials indicated that further arrests could follow as camera footage is reviewed.
The protest, which drew thousands of participants, was organized by right-wing activists demanding stricter immigration measures and tighter controls on asylum seekers, less than six weeks before the country’s national elections.
Footage from broadcaster NOS showed demonstrators waving Dutch flags and far-right symbols while clashing with police, throwing rocks and bottles. A police vehicle was set on fire, and some protesters temporarily blocked a nearby highway. Local media also reported damage to the headquarters of the centrist D66 party, where several windows were smashed.
D66 leader Rob Jetten condemned the attack, posting on X: “If you think you can intimidate us, tough luck. We will never let extremist rioters take our beautiful country away.”
A group of rioters also attempted to approach the Dutch parliament complex, which is currently under renovation and fenced off.
Geert Wilders, leader of the anti-immigration Party for Freedom (PVV) and winner of the previous national election, was scheduled to speak at the rally but did not attend. He later condemned the violence online, calling the actions against police “completely unacceptable” and describing the perpetrators as “idiots” and “scum.”