Dutch riot police dispersed about 500 far-right demonstrators in The Hague on Saturday after violence erupted at an anti-immigration protest, prompting local authorities to ban a planned march and order the gathering to end.
Police used baton charges and dogs as protesters threw fireworks and other projectiles at officers in Malieveld park in the city centre, while several arrests were reported.
The demonstration, organised under the name “Wij zijn het volk,” or “We are the people,” was held in opposition to Dutch government policies, particularly on immigration and asylum.
Protesters had planned to march through The Hague, but authorities prohibited the procession after violence began and later ordered demonstrators to leave the park.
Police escorted protesters away after the gathering was formally ended because of continued unrest.
The exact number of arrests remained unclear.
Justice Minister David van Weel condemned the scenes, saying demonstrators made Nazi salutes, chanted antisemitic slogans, attacked police and threw fireworks at riot officers.
He called for firm action and thanked police officers for defending the democratic rule of law.
One person at the rally was seen giving a Hitler salute, while a truck being used as a stage displayed a screen reading “The Netherlands is for the Dutch,” according to ANP.
Saturday’s clashes followed unrest at another right-wing anti-immigration demonstration in The Hague a year earlier, when Dutch police used a water cannon to disperse protesters.
During those clashes, a police car was set on fire amid confrontations between black-clad demonstrators and officers.
The headquarters of the centrist D66 party was also attacked.
D66 leader Rob Jetten has since become prime minister.
The latest protest again brought confrontations over immigration policy into the centre of The Hague, with authorities ending the demonstration after violence against police escalated and the planned march was blocked.