Dutch police disperse violent far-right protest in The Hague

On Saturday, Dutch riot police engaged in a confrontation with around 500 far-right protesters who gathered in The Hague's city center. The demonstrators, known as "We Are the People," were protesting government policies, especially those concerning immigration. However, their rally turned violent when they began chanting antisemitic slogans and throwing fireworks and other objects at the police.

According to AFP reporters on the ground, the police responded by using baton charges and specialized dogs to disperse the crowd. The authorities had initially prohibited a march organized by the protesters, but violence erupted in a nearby park, prompting the police to order the demonstration to cease.

Following the unrest, police arrested 24 individuals and employed water cannons to further break up the rioters. They also noted that further investigations are underway. Prime Minister Rob Jetten expressed that the demonstrators had deliberately aimed to provoke a confrontation with the police and had shouted abhorrent far-right and antisemitic slogans.

Justice Minister David van Weel called for a particularly firm response to the disgusting scenes that unfolded during the protest. He detailed that the protesters made Nazi salutes, chanted antisemitic slogans, attacked the police, and hurled fireworks at riot officers. This incident marks one year since similar riots took place during a right-wing demonstration, during which a police car was set ablaze and the headquarters of the centrist D66 party were targeted.