Police arrest 3 at Apeldoorn asylum protest for second night

Police arrested three people after intervening for the second time at a protest in Apeldoorn against plans for an emergency asylum shelter, as demonstrators blocked traffic with fireworks and later confronted officers, NOS reported.

For several days, protesters have been demonstrating against the potential opening of the temporary location.

Around 10 p.m., a group gathered at a roundabout where they had demonstrated earlier. They set off fireworks and blocked traffic.

A police spokesperson said the evening protest remained relatively calm aside from the fireworks. Around midnight, the municipality issued an emergency order requiring people to leave the area.

Shortly after midnight, the atmosphere grew grimmer when a group of demonstrators sought a confrontation with police. Riot police carried out charges and arrested three people. The situation became calm again around 12:30 a.m.

The municipality of Apeldoorn plans to house approximately 240 asylum seekers and status holders for about one year in an empty school building.

"The Minister of Asylum and Migration has urgently asked municipalities to realize extra reception capacity. Municipalities have a joint responsibility in this," the municipality of Apeldoorn wrote about the decision. "Apeldoorn takes that responsibility and makes an empty part of the school building temporarily available as emergency shelter."