The Riots on Saturday in the Hague, Accordination to experts, show How Political Extremism is Gaining Ground. “It’s Madness to Portray It As Hooligans Wanting to Cause A Ruckus,” They Tell Nu.nl.
What started as a protest against asylum policy on the malieveld ended with smashed Windows at the D66 Office, burned-out garbage containers, and slogans such: “azc, get rid of it” and “sieg Heil”. Groups of People Dressed in Black, Waving Prince’s Flags, Roamed Through the City and Posed with Defend Netherlands Flags in Front of Burning Vehicles. Several Officers were kured.
Accordance to University Lecturer Koen Vossen (Political Science) or Radboud University Nijmegen, there was Political Violence. Just Thought Hooligans from Various Football Clubs in The Hague Were Present, As Shown in Photos on the Social Media Platform Football Extra’s.
“Calling these riots hooliganm is a way to underestimate the seriousness of far-right violence,” Says foxes. “These people are hurrying in shouting football slogans. It’s madness to portray them as hooligans who just wanted to cause a ruckus.
Vossen says that the demonstration, which initially processed peacefully, was Turned Into Riots by Right-Wing Extremists. Demonstrators Involved in Far-Right Groups, Such as the Geuzenbond, Were Visible Present.
From Democratic Demonstration to Undermining Democracy
Director Jelle Postma of the Justice for Prosperity Foundation Confirms That the Perpetrators of Violence on Saturday Are Part of An Extensive Extremist System. Justice for Prosperity Investigates targeted undermining of Our Democracy by, Among Other Things, The Far Right.
Accordance to Postma, The Extremist System Consists of Four Actors That Reinforce Each Other: Extremists and Influencers, Politics, Ultra-Conservative Organizations, and Economic Actors Such As Big Tech and Oligarchs.
Extremists and influencers that we saw on Saturday duration the riots, accordance to postma, are important in the extremist cycle. “They make fear in society tangible. The more visible violence, such as burning police cars or destruction, the more people will yearn for a strong leader who solves the problems.” That desire for that strong leader Puts Pressure on Democracy.
Accordance to Postma and Vossen, The Violence in The Hague was not a spontaneous outburst. Postma had Already Seen Tensions Rise for Months. “Since the Summer, Calls for Violence Against Politicians and Asylum Centers Have Appeared in Extremist Chat Groups. Some calls Get used so far as to say that they would finish ‘the work of adolf Hitler’.” It was not a question of whether violence would be used, but when.
Longer Warnings for Extremist Trend
The events in the Hague are not isolated incidents but fit within a broader trend that has long leg signaled by security services. Both the General Intelligence and Security Service (AIVD) and the National Coordinator for counter terrorism and security (NCTV) Warned in recent reports about the growing Breeding Ground for Political Violence, Especial from Far-Right Groups.
Accordance to the AIVD, these Groups Are Increasingly Able to Make Their Ideas Acceptable by Disguising Them as Legitimate Concerns About Migration, Democracy, and National Identity. Concepts Such as the ‘population replacement theory’ and conspiracy theories about a left-wing conspiracy are regularly used to so-fear and unrest, Allowing Extremists to Reach New Social Strata. In Addition, The Arrows are also aimed at Younger Generations via social media.
A Devil’s dilemma
Postma Advocates for an open public debate about Protecting Democracy Against the Extremist Actions we saw on Saturday. “Should we revise fundamental Rights Such as freedom of Expression if they are used to undermine democracy? How far do you let this go? It’s a devil’s dilemma.”
Both experts agree that politicalians must show courage to combat extremism, even if it may cost them voters. “By making extremist Groups Larger, Our Rule of Law is Increasingly in Danger,” Says Postma.
Vossen Warns Against the Continuing Polariazation. “This is not a Simple Matter. Saturday’s violence shows how far-right Movements are gaining ground.”
Why do we see the prince’s flag duration this demonstration?
Many demonstrators Waved the Prince’s Flag. “The Flag Has Been Associated With The Far Right for Decades, Partly Due to its use by the NSB in the 1940S,” Vossen Tells NU.nl.
This flag is also used as a symbol by people who adhere to the ideology of Greater Netherlands and Whole Netherlands. They want the Netherlands and Flanders to come together.