Violent anti-migrant protest in Netherlands after UK; police car on fire, cops thrashed| Els Rechts

Violent anti-immigrant protests broke out in The Hague, Netherlands, on September 20, just weeks before national elections. Thousands of right-wing demonstrators, led by activist Els Rechts, clashed with riot police after authorities blocked their march to a major highway. Protesters hurled bottles and stones, set a police car on fire, and vandalized the office of the centrist D66 party. Around 30 people were arrested and several police officers injured as police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse crowds. The violence drew condemnation across the political spectrum—caretaker Dutch PM Dick Schoof and D66 leader Rob Jetten denounced the attacks as “unacceptable,” while far-right leader Geert Wilders called the rioters “idiots.” The unrest follows similar incidents in London and highlights how immigration and asylum policies are dominating the Dutch election campaign.