The city of The Hague was rocked by violence on September 20, 2025, as an anti-immigration protest spiraled into chaos just weeks before the Netherlands’ pivotal general election. What began as a demonstration—organized by right-wing activists demanding stricter asylum policies—quickly descended into street clashes, vandalism, and an atmosphere of deepening political tension, according to coverage by CNN, BBC, and Dutch broadcaster NOS.
Hundreds, and by some estimates thousands, of protesters gathered in The Hague’s Malieveld park after a call to action from a right-wing social media activist known as "Els Rechts." Participants, many dressed in dark clothing and waving Dutch flags—some altered with an orange stripe, a symbol historically associated with the pre-war Dutch Nazi party (NSB)—marched with banners demanding tougher immigration rules. The protest, dubbed “Stand up for the Netherlands,” was meant to be a show of force against the government’s asylum seeker policies. However, as night fell, the demonstration took a turn for the worse.
Violence erupted as protesters hurled rocks and bottles at law enforcement. Police responded with tear gas and water cannons, attempting to disperse the crowd and restore order. In the midst of the chaos, a police car was set ablaze, sending thick smoke billowing over the city center. The A12 highway, a critical route connecting The Hague to Germany, was briefly blocked by protesters, further escalating the disruption. Dutch news agency ANP reported that a group of around 1,500 anti-immigration demonstrators were involved in the roadblock, an unprecedented move in recent Dutch protest history.
As rioters clashed with police, a smaller contingent broke away and targeted the offices of the centrist-liberal D66 party, smashing windows and vandalizing property. The D66 office attack drew swift condemnation from political leaders across the spectrum. Rob Jetten, D66’s leader, posted an emotional message on X: "Scum. You keep your hands off political parties. If you think you can intimidate us, tough luck. We will never let extremist rioters take our beautiful country away." He continued, "This has nothing to do with the Netherlands. It is pure intimidation. Don't let the loudmouths win. It is the positive forces that build a better country."
The violence didn’t stop there. Some protesters attempted to approach the Dutch parliament complex, which has been fenced off for years due to ongoing renovations. Authorities managed to prevent them from breaching the largely deserted grounds, but the attempt underscored the gravity of the unrest. Images circulated on social media and Dutch news outlets captured scenes of police vehicles engulfed in flames, streets strewn with debris, and lines of officers in riot gear standing firm against the surging crowd.
Prime Minister Dick Schoof, acting as caretaker ahead of the coming election, responded forcefully to the night’s events. "Shocking and bizarre images of shameless violence in The Hague, after a demonstration got out of hand," he wrote on X. Schoof labeled the attacks on police and the D66 office "completely unacceptable" and expressed confidence that police and prosecutors would bring the rioters to justice. Justice Minister Foort van Oosten echoed these sentiments, stating, "Demonstrating is a great thing in the Netherlands, but hands off our officers!" The message from the government was clear: while protest is a democratic right, violence and intimidation would not be tolerated.
Even Geert Wilders, the far-right politician whose Party for Freedom (PVV) recently withdrew from the ruling coalition over migration disputes, distanced himself from the violence. Wilders, who was invited to speak at the demonstration but declined, condemned the rioters on social media, calling them "idiots" and "scum" for their actions against police and public infrastructure. "Blocking the highway and violence against the police is totally, absolutely unacceptable. Idiots," he wrote.
The organizer of the protest, "Els Rechts," also expressed regret after the violence unfolded. She posted, "If I had known this in advance, I would never have organized it. I assumed that people came to demonstrate peacefully, but unfortunately, for whatever reason, it turned out very differently." Her statement highlighted the unpredictable nature of political demonstrations in the current Dutch climate.
The unrest comes at a particularly sensitive time for the Netherlands. The snap general election, scheduled for October 29, was called after Wilders’ withdrawal from the governing coalition over disagreements on migration policy. With migration and national identity dominating the public discourse, the country finds itself deeply divided. According to AP and The Guardian, the presence of Nazi-era symbols among some protesters has only heightened concerns about the resurgence of extremist ideologies and the potential for further unrest as election day nears.
Political leaders from both left and right have united in condemning the violence, but the events in The Hague have reignited debates about the boundaries of free speech and the responsibilities that come with civic engagement. Many analysts warn that the socio-political dynamics ahead of the vote may push voters toward either more cautious or more radical positions. The government and law enforcement agencies have assured citizens that they will safeguard public safety and uphold the law during the pre-election period.
For now, Dutch authorities are reviewing footage and launching investigations into the organization behind the protest and the motivations of the rioters. No immediate figures on injuries or arrests have been released, but officials have pledged to pursue justice against those responsible. The targeting of political party offices, attacks on law enforcement, and the use of provocative symbolism have prompted soul-searching across the political spectrum, with many asking how the Netherlands—long seen as a bastion of tolerance and civil debate—should respond to these emerging threats.
As the general election approaches, the Netherlands faces a crucial test of its democratic resilience. The violence in The Hague was not just a fleeting eruption; it exposed deep-seated anxieties about migration, the future of Dutch society, and the fragility of democratic norms. In the coming weeks, political leaders and citizens alike will be challenged to defend civil discourse and reject intimidation, ensuring that the country’s future is shaped not by fear and division, but by the positive forces that have long defined Dutch democracy.