On March 27, 2025, the city of Ghent witnessed a sharp clash of ideologies as a far-right student association, NSV!, held a demonstration under the banner "Generation Remigration". The event, intended as a protest against Belgium's immigration policies, drew significant attention and controversy in the lead-up to the march. Despite the efforts of Ghent's Mayor Mathias De Clercq, who filed a complaint against the content of the event's pamphlet, he was unable to ban the demonstration.
Approximately 400 participants gathered at Gent-Zuid for the NSV! protest, including notable figures from the far-right, such as Vlaams Belang chairman Tom Van Grieken and members of Project Thule, a private militia associated with convicted neo-Nazi Tomas Boutens. The NSV! aimed to bring the topic of remigration into public discourse, with organizers stating their goal was to advocate for the repatriation of illegal immigrants and criminals.
Simultaneously, a counter-demonstration known as the "Parade for Solidarity" commenced around 18:30 at the Rabot, organized by various civil organizations, trade unions, and youth political movements. This march was a direct response to the NSV! demonstration, as participants sought to oppose what they termed the "increasing fascism in their city." Estee De Vries, a spokesperson for the solidarity march, articulated the group's intent, saying, "Actually, they say with 'generation remigration' in a nicer way 'migrants out'. And we wanted to respond to that."
The Parade for Solidarity attracted nearly 1,300 participants, who aimed to send a positive message of solidarity and diversity in Ghent. The march concluded around 20:00 under the Stadshal, featuring speeches and performances that reinforced their commitment to opposing hate-filled rhetoric and promoting fundamental rights. One protester expressed, "I walk because I don't want fascism in this city. And if they come to the streets, so do we, it's that simple. We really want to send a counter-signal that such sentiments are not welcome in our city."
As the two groups marched, tensions escalated. After just a few minutes into the NSV! demonstration, left-wing activists began to throw objects, including sticks, eggs, and glass, at the right-wing protesters. The police, who had a heavy presence to prevent violence, reported several arrests of masked individuals who were identified as provocateurs. Police spokesman Matto Langeraert confirmed that around twenty people were administratively arrested during the events.
To manage the situation, law enforcement implemented strategic roadblocks to keep the two groups apart and deployed a water cannon at the café Marimain when skirmishes broke out. Additionally, firefighters were called in to extinguish a garbage can that had been set on fire, although they clarified that the fire was not caused by the demonstrators themselves.
Throughout the evening, the police worked to maintain order, with Langeraert stating, "It seems to have been handled reasonably well. All services did their jobs." However, the clashes raised concerns about the increasing polarization in Ghent, where right-wing and left-wing protesters have a history of conflict. In 2008, riots erupted near Sint-Pietersplein, and although the last NSV! demonstration in 2021 was peaceful, the recent events indicate a growing rift.
Despite the tensions, the NSV! demonstrators expressed their belief in their right to protest, with one organizer, Tom Claeys, commenting, "They have just as much right to be on the street." The NSV! protesters aimed to ensure their message of remigration was heard, stating, "We want to bring remigration into the social debate so that it is discussed."
The events of March 27, 2025, highlight the ongoing struggles surrounding immigration and the rising tensions between opposing political ideologies in Belgium. As both sides prepare for future encounters, the city of Ghent remains a focal point for these heated debates, with citizens divided over the implications of immigration policies and the narratives surrounding them.
