Riot police intervene in anti-asylum protests in Houten and Oisterwijk; at least seven people arrested
Riot police intervened in both Houten and Uithoorn on Tuesday evening after protests against proposed asylum centers turned violent. Opponents of the establishment of new centers for asylum seekers clashed with supporting protesters and police, throwing fireworks and eggs. According to NOS reports, at least seven people were arrested — three in Houten and four in Uithoorn.
In Houten, about 300 people gathered in front of the town hall to protest the local authorities' plan to open a refugee center accommodating 337 people in an industrial area on the outskirts of the city. Over time, the number of protesters decreased to about 100, but tensions escalated when a group of them attempted to clash with around 30 counter-protesters nearby. Riot police intervened to separate the two sides after some protesters began throwing fireworks and eggs.
In Oisterwijk, several hundred anti-asylum protesters gathered in front of the town hall, where local authorities were discussing a plan to accommodate around 250 asylum seekers. The protest started quietly but quickly turned violent when protesters moved towards a residential area, prompting riot police to intervene and arrest at least four people.
Demonstrators in Ouytehorne also threw fireworks and eggs at a small group of counter-protesters, and the police were also targeted with fireworks. Witnesses noted that the 'Prinsenvlag' flag, a version of the Dutch flag historically associated with the far-right and the NSB party during World War II, was visible at both protest sites.
The mayor of Oijthoren, Pieter Heiliegers, expressed his regret over the protests turning into riots, emphasizing that the municipality will not allow the use of violence or threats to influence its decisions. He stated in comments reported by RTL Nieuws: "We will not accept threats or violence or disruption of the democratic process." He added that the majority of Oijthoren residents are constructively participating in discussions about the housing plan, describing it as "the basis for moving forward in development."