The Deputy Mayor decided today at 1:54 PM to disband the demonstration on the Malieveld under the banner ‘We Are the People’. Notification had been given for the demonstration, under which the organization also intended to march through the city center.
Serious disturbances of order occurred during the demonstration. Violence was used against police officers and the Mobile Unit (ME), and heavy fireworks were thrown in the direction of the police. In addition, several demonstrators continued to wear face-covering clothing, despite indications that this was not permitted.
The right to demonstrate is a great asset
In The Hague, there is ample room for people to express their concerns and demonstrate. The right to demonstrate is a fundamental right. Therefore, more than 3,000 demonstrations are facilitated in The Hague every year. This time, too, agreements were made in advance with the organization regarding how the demonstration could proceed. However, violence in all forms is unacceptable and action is taken against it.
Route through the city was cancelled
Due to the situation that had arisen, Deputy Mayor Richard de Mos decided that the demonstration would take place exclusively on the Malieveld and that the announced route through the city would not proceed. Demonstrating on the Malieveld therefore remained possible. Due to the ongoing violence, the Deputy Mayor considered it irresponsible to take the risk, given the situation, that new disturbances would spread to The Hague city center.
Demonstration subsequently disbanded
When the disturbances and violence persisted, the demonstration was disbanded by order of the Deputy Mayor. To restore public order and safety, demonstrators were escorted out of the area. An emergency order was also issued.
Violence unacceptable
Deputy Mayor Richard de Mos: “Demonstrating is a fundamental right, and people have every right to express their concerns. But as soon as police officers are attacked, heavy fireworks are thrown, and public order is seriously disrupted, a line is crossed. We all remember the misery of last year. My responsibility as Deputy Mayor is to protect the city and ensure the safety of everyone. That is why we initially cancelled the march and kept demonstrating on the Malieveld possible. When the violence persisted, termination was necessary. My sincere thanks go to the police. They were once again well prepared and managed to keep the situation on the streets under control.” Every demonstration is assessed based on the facts and circumstances at that moment. The content or background of a demonstration is explicitly not taken into account in this assessment.
Source: Gemeente Den Haag