Amsterdam: Dutch police uncovered tear gas and water cannons in The Hague on Saturday to cover up anti-immigrant protesters.
Thousands of people joined protests organized by a right-wing activist demanding stricter immigration policies and efforts for asylum seekers just over a month before the national election.
Large groups or protests, many waving Dutch flags and flags associated with far-right groups, clashed fiercely with police, throwing rocks and bottles, footage from broadcaster NOS shows.
A police car caught fire and a group of protests were blocked by a highway near the famous demonstration site. Local media reported that protesters also smashed several windows of the left central D66 party headquarters, which many people regard as servants on the far right.
Anti-immigrant populist Geert Wilders, who won previous elections in the Netherlands, retained his leadership in the public opinion polls in recent weeks ahead of the October 29 vote and invited to speak at the demonstrations, but did not attend.
Instead, he condemned the violence on X, saying the use of force against the police was “completely unacceptable” and called people “idiots.”
Posted at Dawn on September 21, 2025
