2015 Geldermalsen riot


The 2015 Geldermalsen riot was a riot in the Dutch town of Geldermalsen. On 16 December 2015 a protest was made against plans announced by the town council to construct a centre for 1,500 asylum seekers.

Riots

On 16 December 2015, around 2,000 people in Geldermalsen protested and rioted outside the town hall when the council announced plans to build an asylum centre and accept 1,500 asylum seekers in the light of the European migrant crisis.
The protesters attempted to storm the town hall, throwing beer bottles, fireworks and stones, while politicians discussed the plans inside. Several protesters, two police officers and a businesswoman inside the city hall suffered injuries during the riot. Fourteen protesters were reported to have been arrested as a result of the riots.

Aftermath

Dutch politicians characterised the riot as "unacceptable" and "un-Dutch". It was later announced that the plans of constructing an asylum centre in the town had been scrapped, with the town council criticising itself over the speed of the decision process and the scale of the plans.
Protests and riots have erupted in several other Dutch towns and villages since 2015 in protest against plans to take in record numbers of migrants. In January 2016, in Heesch, 1000 protesters rioted after plans to take in 500 asylum seekers in the town were announced.