The peaceful intentions of an anti-immigration rally in The Hague quickly unraveled into chaos on Saturday, as thousands of participants clashed with authorities amid escalating violence.
Organized by right-wing activist Els Rechts, who advocates for stricter controls on asylum seekers and equitable housing reforms, the event drew a large crowd waving Dutch flags and those linked to far-right groups.
Held in the Malieveld district just over a month before the Netherlands' snap national elections on October 29, the demonstration highlighted growing frustrations over migration policies.
Protesters initially gathered to voice demands for tougher immigration measures, but a faction splintered off, blocking a nearby highway and hurling bottles and rocks at police lines.
Footage broadcast by Dutch media outlets captured the intensity, with officers responding by deploying tear gas and a water cannon to restore order.
In the midst of the disorder, at least one police vehicle was set ablaze, sending plumes of smoke into the air.
The unrest extended beyond the main site, as groups of demonstrators advanced toward central The Hague and vandalized the headquarters of the centre-left D66 party by shattering windows.
D66, often criticized by far-right elements as emblematic of a progressive elite, became a focal point for the attackers' frustrations.
No immediate reports of injuries or arrests surfaced from the incident, though the scale of the violence prompted swift condemnation from across the political spectrum.
Dutch Justice Minister Foort van Oosten decried the assaults on officers as “absolutely unacceptable,” emphasizing on X that “Demonstrating is a great thing in the Netherlands, but hands off our officers!”
Leader of the far-right Party for Freedom (PVV), Geert Wilders, who had been extended an invitation to address the crowd but declined to participate, echoed the sentiment online.
He labeled the violent acts “utterly unacceptable” and branded the perpetrators “idiots.”
The rally's timing underscores the charged atmosphere surrounding the upcoming vote, triggered by the abrupt dissolution of the right-wing coalition government in June.
Wilders, whose PVV secured victory in the prior election and maintains a polling lead, withdrew his party from the 11-month-old administration under former Prime Minister Dick Schoof.
The move stemmed from disagreements over insufficient support for his proposals to curb refugee asylum.
Figures from the left, including Frans Timmermans of the Dutch Labor-Green alliance, framed the events as “Trumpian conditions, fueled by politicians who sow fear and division.”
He urged, “Remaining silent is not an option. You must make your voice heard.”
D66 leader Rob Jetten fired back at the vandals, declaring on X, “Scum. You keep your hands off political parties.”
The episode serves as a stark reminder of the deep divisions shaping Dutch politics, with migration emerging as a flashpoint in the lead-up to the polls.
As authorities investigate the disturbances, the incident is likely to intensify debates on protest rights, public safety, and the boundaries of political expression in the Netherlands.