Dutch riot police break up violent far-right protest in The Hague

Dutch riot police dispersed several hundred far-right protesters in The Hague on Saturday after violence erupted and local authorities banned a planned march in the city against immigration and asylum policies.The Dutch public broadcaster NOS reported that 24 people had been arrested, after some protesters threw fireworks and other projectiles at police.Justice minister David van Weel called on X for an “extremely firm” response to what he described as “disgusting scenes” at the protest, organised by the far-right We Are the People organisation.He said demonstrators made Nazi salutes, chanted antisemitic slogans, and attacked and threw fireworks at police.“Thanks to all the police officers who are once again standing up for our democratic rule of law,” he wrote.The march was organised to protest about immigration and asylum policies in the Netherlands. Photograph: James Petermeier/Zuma Press Wire/ShutterstockThe Hague municipality banned the march after violence broke out among demonstrators gathered at the Malieveld, a park in the city centre, and later ordered the crowd to disperse.Those arrested were detained for various offences, including failing to comply with the order and illegally possessing weapons.Police reportedly used pepper spray and a water cannon on the rioters.Saturday’s unrest came a year after rioting erupted during a rightwing demonstration in The Hague.A police car was set on fire during the clashes between black-clad protesters and police. The headquarters of the centrist D66 party – whose leader, Rob Jetten, is now prime minister – was also attacked.Jetten said on X that the demonstrators deliberately sought confrontation with the police and chanted “abhorrent” far-right and antisemitic slogans.