Interior minister: “Alarming messages” over Gen. Z riots in Dutch cities this weekend

Dutch Interior Minister Pieter Heerma warned of “alarming reports” circulating about the possibility of young adults planning to violently protest and riot in several cities in the Netherlands this weekend. The CDA politician would not elaborate further, instead referring journalists’ questions to local authorities, because “the responsibility for enforcing measures lies with them.”

Several media outlets reported this week that messages were published to chat groups focused on Generation Z in the Netherlands, calling for public disorder and vandalism under the guise of protests. Thus far, it has not been clear whether the plans are actually serious, though there are several thousand members in one of the groups centered on young adults born at the turn of the century.

Heerma issued a broad appeal on Friday afternoon, as cities and businesses began to prepare for unrest. “Demonstrating is allowed in this country; that is a great asset. But behave yourselves and ensure you do not get drawn into disturbances.”

Prime Minister Rob Jetten said during his weekly press conference that he expects mayors and the police will prepare thoroughly to ensure the weekend runs peacefully. “If you want to demonstrate in the Netherlands, you can do so in all kinds of places and ways, but do not misbehave as we have seen in other countries.”

The City of The Hague said it is “alert and prepared” for a possible youth protest on the Malieveld on Saturday. Police officers will be “visibly present” there, and will intervene if public order is disturbed, a spokesperson for the municipality said. The Hague said that nobody has registered plans to organize a demonstration in the city, but “the messages circulating online are known to the municipality and the police and are being continuously monitored”.

The Municipality of Amsterdam also said it is closely monitoring the “AI-generated images online” regarding a possible youth protest. Police officers will also be visibly present in the capital on Saturday, with the power to intervene if public order threatens to be disrupted.

There may also be protests in Maastricht on Saturday. The Limburg capital did not want to comment on measures to prevent disturbances. “We never make announcements regarding measures to be taken or already taken,” said a municipal spokesperson.

Police in Limburg acknowledged they have seen the messages on social media and are monitoring the situation. The police called on parents to talk to the young people.

The hardcore fans of football club MVV want to confront people planning to travel to Maastricht on Saturday for a Gen Z protest, according to a report on the local news site De Nieuwe Ster. “Should people from outside want to wreck the city, we will beat them out,” is one message the football faction is spreading within their group chats, the website claimed.

The National Student Union (LSVb) has urged students not to attend possible youth protests. It is not known who posted the calls. "There is no central organization, no preparatory work has been done, and there is nobody responsible for overseeing safety. The arrangements are chaotic. That is why we advise our members not to take part," the LSVb said.

The student union does not know how many people will attend the protests, "but we do not expect them to be very large. We have the impression that this is mainly happening online."

The Intercity Student Consultation (ISO), another student organization, also said it had received little information about the planned protests. "We have had no communication whatsoever. The organization is operating independently of us, and we do not want to get involved because we do not even know what the protests are about," a spokesperson said.

Employer organizations VNO-NCW and MKB-Nederland said businesses are worried about calls for youth protests circulating online. They fear demonstrations could lead to unrest in multiple Dutch cities, as has happened in other European countries like France and Spain earlier this month. Recent protests in France escalated into riots and looting in several cities. In Milan, Italy, rioters also targeted shops.

VNO-NCW and MKB-Nederland described the situation of shopkeepers in The Hague boarding up their stores as "deeply sad" and called on young people, parents, and others involved to act responsibly.

"Unrest in Paris two weeks ago caused considerable fear and damage, as well as substantial costs for affected businesses, even though they had nothing to do with what prompted the protests," the organizations said.

Dutch department store chain De Bijenkorf is taking additional security measures as a precaution ahead of the possible youth protest. Its stores will remain open as usual on Saturday, a spokesperson said.

"We are aware of the reports on social media about possible public order disturbances this weekend. We take these signals seriously and are monitoring the situation closely, in contact with the municipality and police," the spokesperson said. The Dutch department store chain operates seven locations across the Netherlands, including one in The Hague.

The ROC Mondriaan vocational college in The Hague is urging its students to remain peaceful on Saturday if they wish to take part in possible youth protests.

"Our message to students and their parents or guardians is clear: anyone who wants to demonstrate should do so peacefully and with respect for others. We urge students not to be swept up in calls for provocation or violence," the regional vocational education center said.

ROC Mondriaan has also urged parents and guardians to discuss the possible protests with their children. The college's board has been in contact with The Hague municipality, while the institution is monitoring social media to identify potential developments and respond if necessary. It said it wants to help promote "calm, respect, and responsible behavior."

Jetten has not reviewed any “alarming reports” himself, saying he was “busy with so many things today.” Jetten has spent the week trying to get a deal ensuring passage of his minority coalition government’s tax plan.