Ruptly
"Dozens of pro-refugee demonstrators gathered in The Hague on Tuesday in support of a planned emergency shelter, as counter-protesters clashed with police amid growing opposition to asylum reception centres in the Netherlands. Footage shows officers beating and pushing back counter-protesters and blocking a road near the pro-refugee demonstration venue. Activists were seen waving flags and chanting in support of welcoming asylum seekers. "Asylum seekers in this political climate are very much targeted and blamed for a lot of the economic crises that are happening right now, including the housing crisis, but they are not to blame. It's the capitalist class that is to blame," said a demonstrator. "Immigrants built this country. We should work together with the Dutch people. And we just want to show that no matter where you come from, you're always welcome, obviously," added another protester. Civil groups are calling for a more welcoming approach towards refugees amid the country's increasingly restrictive asylum policy. In April, the Dutch Senate passed a strict two-tier asylum system designed to cut initial residency permits for some refugees to three years and scrap permanent residency options for new arrivals. Anti-refugee protests are part of a growing pressure on Dutch municipalities to expand short-term asylum accommodation amid overcrowding in national reception centres. The government set targets for councils to collectively provide tens of thousands of additional reception places amid ongoing strain on existing infrastructure."
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