Riot police move in on youth groups in The Hague
Riot police stepped in against groups of young people in central The Hague after online calls for "Gen Z" protests. Many shops were boarded up.
Riot police (Mobiele Eenheid) intervened at the Korte Voorhout in The Hague because groups of young people there did not follow police orders. A "Gen Z" demonstration had been announced online for 14:00 on the Malieveld.
The young people in the city centre had come after calls on social media for "Gen-Z protests".
Police had asked those present several times to go to the Malieveld instead. Some did not comply.
Many shops in the city centre were boarded up as a precaution, including Primark and MediaMarkt. Hardcore supporters of the football club ADO Den Haag had said on Friday evening that they would be there to stop any rioters. Some gathered on the Plein, near the Binnenhof. "We are here to protect the city, nothing else," one of them said.
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Follow the story: Mobiele Eenheid
Mobiele Eenheid
The Mobile Unit is the riot police unit of the Dutch National Police (Nationale Politie). It is deployed to maintain public order during demonstrations, large gatherings and disturbances, and it operates in groups that can be sent to a location at short notice.
Malieveld
The Malieveld is a large open grass field in the centre of The Hague, close to the Binnenhof and the government buildings. It is the city's main designated space for demonstrations and big gatherings, and police often direct groups there.