"A large crowd gathered outside a temporary asylum shelter in Utrecht on Sunday, as pro-asylum demonstrators sought to welcome refugees and counter a protest announced by the nationalist Dutch People’s Union (NVU). Footage shows dozens of demonstrators holding banners and placards reading 'Welcome in Utrecht, safety is a human right' and 'Nazi Lives Don’t Matter', while chanting slogans in support of asylum seekers. From inside the shelter, some residents were seen waving heart-shaped signs and Palestinian flags from windows. NVU supporters assembled separately nearby, carrying banners that read 'Send them home'. A visible police presence was deployed to keep the groups apart and prevent clashes. “We are showing solidarity with the refugees or the people who flee their countries here; they are super welcome,” a protester said. “The people on the other side, they're very bad, racist, fascist people. We are also against them, but mostly we are here to show support to the people,” she added. Several participants argued that the Netherlands has the capacity to host more refugees and criticised what they described as misplaced political priorities. “This city belongs to everybody except the very rich people. And we will take back this city,” one protester said. The NVU had earlier announced plans to protest outside the shelter, which is set to be converted into a permanent asylum reception centre. The demonstration comes amid heightened political tensions over migration policy in the Netherlands, after right-wing leader Geert Wilders on Saturday launched a nationwide campaign opposing the establishment of asylum centres across the country."