Protests: Another asylum center information evening devolves into chaos
Another information evening about opening an asylum shelter devolved into chaos, this time in Best. The meeting in the Naesetenbest sports hall was cut short when angry locals tried to violently force their way inside and threatened the mayor and aldermen, Omroep Brabant reports. The police arrested one man for setting off a firework bomb.
The municipality only let people who signed up for the information evening into the sports hall. There were around 150 people inside and a group of around 70 people outside. Some people who were already inside thought that everyone should be allowed in. But for safety reasons, mayor Rianne Donders refused.
When access to the sports hall was closed, the protesters forced their way inside three times, twice breaking open the front door. All three times, the police managed to prevent them from entering the gym where the meeting was being held. But they set off fireworks in the lobby of the building.
Protesters also tried to break in via the emergency exit on the side of the building. They threw eggs, chanted slogans, and held noise protests with megaphones and gas horns.
Inside, locals also tried to open the emergency exit to let the protesters in. Alderman Rik Dijkhof and an enforcement officer managed to prevent this, Omroep Brabant reports.
According to the broadcaster, mayor Donders remained calm throughout the chaotic meeting. But she was constantly interrupted by angry Best residents who did not want any information, only to hear that the municipality would scrap plans for the asylum shelter.
Things escalated, and the mayor eventually decided to cut the meeting short. Her announcement that safety could no longer be guaranteed was met with cynical laughter. But the locals inside did end up leaving the building through another exit, accompanied by many police officers and enforcement officers. The police also escorted the mayor and aldermen to safety.
The protest was against the municipality’s plans to accommodate up to 192 asylum seekers at a location on Hooiweg in Best.
Two weeks ago, there were also heavy protests against an asylum shelter in Berlicum. Activists threw eggs, torches, and heavy fireworks at the town hall in Sint-Michielsgestel, which covers Berlicum. Protesting locals also hung pig trotters and banners at the intended location on Runweg.
