Dutch Riot Police Disperse Far-Right Protest in The Hague After Violence

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Dutch riot police dispersed several hundred far-right protesters in The Hague on Saturday after violence erupted during a demonstration against immigration and asylum policies.

Police made several arrests after some protesters reportedly threw fireworks and other objects at officers. Authorities subsequently banned a planned march and ordered the crowd to leave the area.

Dutch Justice Minister David van Weel called for a firm response to the unrest, saying protesters had made Nazi salutes, chanted antisemitic slogans, attacked police officers and thrown fireworks at riot police.

The violence began among demonstrators gathered at Malieveld, a park in central The Hague. Local authorities later prohibited the planned march and ordered the protesters to disperse.

The unrest occurred a year after another right-wing demonstration in The Hague ended in clashes between protesters and police. During those disturbances, a police vehicle was set on fire and the headquarters of the centrist D66 party was attacked.

Rob Jetten, the leader of D66 at the time, is now the Netherlands’ prime minister.

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