August 13, 2014
Conflict broke out in Schilderswijk, a neighbourhood of the Hague, on the weekend of August 10. The “Pro-Patria” (For the Fatherland) group held a march against ISIS, an extreme Islamic group with a presence in the city. During the march, 150-200 Muslim youth threw stones and shouted at the protestors, and police intervened.
The city’s mayor, Jozias van Aartsen, faced criticism for permitting the demonstration against ISIS as well as for failing to be available during the conflict on August 10. He has since returned from vacation to deal with the events, and has placed a ban on demonstrations in the neighbourhood for a period of three months.
Following the confrontation, Geert Wilders, leader of the anti-Islam Freedom Party (PVV), has called on “everyone” to participate in an anti-Islam demonstration to be held in September.
