Violent Clashes Erupt at Anti-Immigration Protest in The Hague, netherlands
The Hague, Netherlands – August 24, 2025 - A protest against immigration in The Hague descended into violence Saturday, with demonstrators clashing with police and attempting to breach the parliamentary complex, Binnenhof. Approximately 1,500 people participated in the demonstration, which began around noon in Malieveld, an esplanade near the Dutch Parliament and Central Train Station, before escalating rapidly.
Police were forced to disperse the crowd after protesters began throwing stones and bottles. Attempts were made to enter Binnenhof, currently undergoing renovations, and the windows of the D66 party headquarters – a left-wing liberal group viewed as part of the “progressive elite” by the extreme right – were damaged.
The protest occurred less than a month before the scheduled general elections on October 29th, with political parties already actively campaigning. The unrest has drawn widespread condemnation across the Dutch political spectrum.
Els rechts,a rising figure on the national right who identifies as Christian,organized the demonstration. While she publicly rejects “any form of violence,” the event quickly spiraled out of control. Notably, even Geert Wilders, leader of the far-right Liberty Party (PVV), condemned the violence as “totally unacceptable,” stating, “You have to act with a hard hand against that chusma.”
The response from law enforcement and government officials has been swift and firm. Nine Kooiman, president of the Police Union, expressed outrage on X (formerly Twitter), calling for the perpetrators to be arrested, punished, and held accountable for damages and injuries. Minister of Justice and Security Foort Van Oosten and outgoing Prime Minister Dick Schoof also criticized the violence, emphasizing the right to peaceful protest while condemning attacks on police officers.Schoof stated, “There is always room to demonstrate, but never for violence.”
Rechts, who advocates for “dutch values, security and traditions” and describes herself as a “believer in god” representing the “middle Dutch who does not feel heard,” expressed regret that “a small group of protesters has not known how to behave.” Photos circulating online show her alongside both Geert Wilders and Thierry Baudet, leader of the Forum for Democracy (FVD), another Dutch far-right party.
The incident underscores growing tensions surrounding immigration and the rise of right-wing political movements in the Netherlands as the country prepares for a pivotal election.
