Police Use Force to Clear Asylum Shelter Protest in The Hague
The Hague, 22 February 2026
Riot police deployed batons and water cannons on Saturday to disperse demonstrators opposing plans to convert a former hospital into accommodation for 750 asylum seekers, homeless families, and young people. Eight arrests were made and one officer was injured after being struck on the head during the unannounced protest at Sportlaan. The building currently houses 80 homeless people as winter shelter, but will expand next quarter to become one of the largest temporary accommodation facilities in the Netherlands, despite local opposition branding it a ‘dangerous social experiment’.
Escalation and Police Response
The demonstration at Sportlaan in the Vogelwijk district began as an unannounced protest against the planned housing facility [1][2]. When dozens of demonstrators refused to leave after receiving police orders to disperse, riot police (ME units) deployed charges and batons to clear the street [1][6]. Water cannons and police dogs were also deployed during the operation [6]. Mayor Jan van Zanen had declared the area around the former hospital a safety risk zone between 12:00 and 22:00 on Saturday, granting police powers to conduct preventative searches for weapons and ban face-covering clothing [2]. Order was fully restored by 15:15 according to police reports [1].
Arrests and Violence
Eight people were arrested during the demonstration on charges including disturbing public order, assault, and insult [1][2]. One police officer sustained injuries after being struck on the head with an object and required treatment from ambulance personnel [2][6]. The suspect responsible for the assault was among those arrested [1]. Video footage from the scene reportedly showed some demonstrators making Nazi salutes [6]. The arrests highlight the intensity of local resistance to the accommodation plans, which have been brewing for months in The Hague.
Current and Future Accommodation Plans
The Sportlaan facility, housed in a former Red Cross hospital, currently serves as permanent winter shelter (PWO) for approximately 80 homeless people [1][6]. Starting next quarter in 2026, the site will undergo a phased conversion to accommodate asylum seekers, young people, and homeless families, with the total capacity expanding to house around 750 temporary residents [1][6]. This represents a 670 increase of 670 additional residents. Alderman Mariëlle Vavier posted on Instagram following the protest, praising the Salvation Army and Haagse Hosts for protecting current residents from the violence and unrest outside [5].
Community Opposition and Historical Context
Protesters have characterised the accommodation plans as a ‘dangerous social experiment’ [1][2][6], drawing comparisons to a troubled housing project in Amsterdam. The opposition references Stek Oost, a mixed accommodation facility where asylum seekers (statushouders) and young starters lived together, which experienced multiple violent and sexual offences in recent years [1][3]. A critical report about Stek Oost was broadcast by investigative programme Zembla in January 2026 [1][2][6]. However, a spokesperson for The Hague alderman Mariëlle Vavier emphasised that the Sportlaan location differs fundamentally from the Amsterdam facility, noting there is no student-buddy system, different groups will have separate living areas, and the municipality will maintain overarching management to ensure faster response to problems [6]. The spokesperson compared the arrangement to ‘just like in a big city, where different people live next to each other’ [1][3][6].