Dutch Police Disperse Far-Right Protest Amid Violence
Authorities ban march against immigration policies after demonstrators throw fireworks and chant antisemitic slogans.
Dutch riot police dispersed several hundred far-right protesters in The Hague on Saturday after violence erupted and local authorities banned a planned march against immigration and asylum policies.
Police made several arrests after some protesters began throwing fireworks and other projectiles at officers. Justice Minister David van Weel described the scenes as "disgusting," stating on X that demonstrators made Nazi salutes, chanted antisemitic slogans, attacked police, and threw fireworks.
"Thanks to all the police officers who are once again standing up for our democratic rule of law," van Weel wrote.
The Hague municipality initially banned the march after violence broke out among demonstrators gathered at the Malieveld, a park in the city center. Authorities later ordered the crowd to disperse.
Saturday's unrest echoes clashes from a year prior, when a right-wing demonstration also led to rioting. During that event, a police car was set ablaze amid confrontations between protesters and police. The headquarters of the centrist D66 party, whose leader Rob Jetten is now prime minister, was also attacked.