Days of anti-asylum riots in Apeldoorn, explosion in Den Bosch

Protests against the planned arrival of asylum seekers in Apeldoorn descended into riots for the third night in a row on Sunday evening, according to Omroep Gelderland. An explosion at a separate refugee centre in Den Bosch was also reported the same night.

The demonstrations in Apeldoorn, which are over plans to house 240 refugees in an empty school building, were approved until 8pm but many protesters refused to leave at the agreed time and marched into unsanctioned areas of the city. Police were pelted with fireworks and traffic was blocked, with one vehicle attacked. Dozens were arrested.

The explosion in Den Bosch hit a building at an industrial estate where the local council is planning to house 50 unaccompanied adolescent refugees (boys and girls) between the ages of 15 and 18, according to broadcaster NOS. A window was damaged and the police are investigating.

Spreading violence

The weekend’s incidents come amid continued unrest in multiple towns and cities as new asylum centres are being established to make way for the 103,000 people the government plans to take in this year.

Under the “spreading law”, councils throughout the country will have to contribute to these plans by accommodating proportional shares of refugees. Only 80,000 places have been allocated so far this year, leaving a 23,000-bed shortfall against the target, refugee settlement agency COA has estimated.

The rallies are further straining the plans, even amid the current shortfall. Continued protests in Loosdrecht pushed the council to drop the number of beds at a planned facility from 110 to 70; Den Bosch’s council has also postponed its plans following the protests, pending further information sessions with local residents.

Political involvement

Far-right politicians have been attending the protests to show support for local residents.

MP Gidi Markuszower, who founded the new DNA party earlier this year after splitting from the PVV, gave a speech at one of the marches in Loosdrecht saying that refugees should “go back to their own country”.

Police have been repeatedly attacked in Loosdrecht and the planned refugee shelter vandalised. The FVD leader Lidewij de Vos also attended demonstrations there, telling the press she only supports peaceful protests.