Emergency decree issued around protest at Oude Pekela asylum center

Mayor Jaap Kuin of the municipality Pekela issued an emergency decree on Wednesday night after a call on Facebook to gather at the asylum center in Oude Pekela, Groningen, ANP reports. The Facebook post called on "any person who is tired that asylum seekers can just go their way" to gather in the parking lot of the Pekelahof restaurant, not far from the asylum center on Hooiweg. About 100 people showed up, mostly to see what is happening, according to the police. Flyers were handed out to them about a demonstration on Saturday. According to the police, no one was arrested. The police talked to them, after which they went home. Recent incidents involving asylum seekers caused "a degree of social unrest", Mayor Kuin said to the news wire. "We, along with the police and the central agency for the reception of asylum seekers COA, understand the feelings of the inhabitants of the municipality of Pekela. As stated previously, this issue has our full attention. We will announce further measures in the coming days." On Tuesday a police officer was assaulted by "a drunken asylum seeker", a police spokesperson said to ANP. And there is a rumor that an asylum seeker harassed a girl on Monday afternoon, but so far police investigation could not confirm this.