Dozens arrested at Hague anti-Islam rally

A massive 54 counter-protesters were arrested during a Pegida rally in The Hague on Sunday. The anti-Islam movement was protesting against the Netherlands' asylum policy.

The Pegida rally started at 1:00 p.m. with a demonstration on Spuiplein, followed by a march through the city center. Mayor Jozias van Aartsen assigned Plein 1813 for counter-demonstrations, and a counter-protest started hear at the same time.

Early in the afternoon, an increasing number of counter-protest groups started gathering along the Pegida route. The police addressed these groups, telling them to move to Plein 1813, but they refused. At around 1:00 p.m. a 48-year-old man was arrested for threatening disorder.

The police also received information that some counter-demonstrators were hiding in two fast-food restaurants on Spuiplein and that they may have fireworks with them. The police arrested many of these demonstrators. In one of the restaurants officers found illegal fireworks and Duct Tape.

About a dozen other counter-protesters were arrested along the route because they threatened to disrupt the Pegida protest. All in all 54 counter-protesters were arrested. They were taken to the police station, where they were questioned and the police filed a report against them. They were released during the course of the evening.