Anti-asylum protests turn violent in Opleusden and The Hague: What it means for internationals

Two days of violent protests against asylum centres and far-right marches have shaken the Netherlands this week, raising questions about public safety and the direction of Dutch asylum policy. For internationals living in the Netherlands, the events serve as a reminder that the country’s long-standing reputation for tolerance is under pressure, and that the practical implications — from disrupted travel to heightened police presence — can affect daily life.

Opleusden: Asylum centre meeting turns into riot

On Thursday evening, September 18, around 300 people gathered outside the municipal council building in Opleusden, Gelderland, to protest plans to house 132 asylum seekers — including eight unaccompanied minors — in the municipality of Neder-Betuwe. The demonstration initially remained peaceful, but when the crowd was asked to disperse at around 10:30 p.m., some protesters began attacking police. Flares were lit, buildings were vandalised, and kerbstones were ripped out of the ground and thrown at officers. At least ten people were arrested DutchNews.

The protest was organised by a group calling itself Defend Rivierlanden, part of a network of “Defend” groups that have been implicated in violent anti-asylum protests across the Netherlands this summer, including in Loosduinen and Engelen. The mayor of Neder-Betuwe, Jan Kottelenberg, said he had not expected a major confrontation because the municipality has not yet specified where the refugees would be housed. He also noted that extra police were not drafted in for the meeting because capacity was already stretched by patrols needed in nearby Overasselt, where a group of armed men laid siege to a farmhouse three weeks ago.

The Hague: Far-right march turns violent

The following day, Saturday September 19, a far-right protest called “Wij zijn het volk” (We are the people) gathered on The Hague’s Maliveld, the large field near the central station where many demonstrations take place. The march, which started at 11 a.m. with several hundred participants, quickly turned violent. Protesters carried banners reading “White Lives Matter” and “White men first,” as well as flags with Celtic crosses — a symbol used by neo-Nazis worldwide. According to the ANP news agency, one person was seen giving the Hitler salute. Torches and fireworks were thrown at riot police, who responded with water cannons and pushed the crowd back onto the Maliveld to keep them away from the city centre and the A12 highway NL Times.

By around 4 p.m., the Maliveld was empty, and protesters were scattered in small groups near Den Haag Centraal station. Police issued an emergency order for parts of The Hague, allowing them to remove anyone “who contributes to the public disorder.” The exact number of arrests remains unclear, but police had already detained “a few” before the large-scale violence broke out. A counter-demonstration also took place NL Times.

Climate activists also blocked the A12

On the same day, climate activists from Extinction Rebellion (XR) blocked the A12 highway near Zevenaar in Gelderland, aiming to disrupt traffic towards Germany. Police removed around 100 activists, most of whom boarded buses voluntarily. A group of nine who refused to move were physically carried away. No arrests were reported for that action.

What does this mean for internationals?

For expats and internationals living in the Netherlands, the protests are more than just news headlines. The far-right “Wij zijn het volk” rally explicitly calls for “remigration” — the forced removal of non-white and non-European residents — and uses symbols associated with neo-Nazism. This can be deeply unsettling, especially for those who are not Dutch-born or who hold a residence permit. While the police acted to contain the violence, the presence of such ideologies on the streets of The Hague is a reminder that anti-immigrant sentiment is not confined to online forums.

On a practical level, the emergency order in The Hague meant that anyone in certain areas could be removed by police if they were deemed to contribute to disorder. If you live or work near the Maliveld or Den Haag Centraal, be aware that future demonstrations may lead to similar measures, including cordons and travel disruptions.

For those following asylum policy, the violence in Opleusden may affect local decision-making. The Neder-Betuwe municipal council (gemeenteraad) was discussing where to house the 132 refugees, and such confrontations often delay or complicate the process. The national government, led by Prime Minister Rob Jetten (D66), has not yet announced any change in asylum centre plans in response to the protests. However, the repeated involvement of “Defend” groups suggests that similar protests could occur in other municipalities where asylum centres are proposed.

If you are an international waiting for an asylum procedure or a residence permit, these events may not directly affect your application, but they do shape the political climate. The Dutch coalition government is already under pressure to tighten asylum policy, and violent protests can give ammunition to parties calling for stricter controls.

Stay informed and safe

Keep an eye on local news for announcements of further protests, especially if you live in Gelderland or near The Hague. The police have shown they are prepared to use water cannons and emergency orders to maintain order. If you encounter a demonstration, it is safest to avoid the area and follow instructions from authorities.

For now, the situation remains tense. The open questions are whether the government will adjust asylum centre plans in response to the violence, and whether groups like Defend Rivierlanden will organise further actions. We will continue to follow this story.