As The Hague and Charlotte grapple with the aftermath of these violent clashes, it’s unmistakably clear that these are not isolated incidents but rather symptomatic of a profound societal attack on Western nations, highlighting deep-rooted upheaval within communities struggling with mass migration and open border challenges.
The streets of The Hague in the Netherlands and Charlotte in the United States have become battlegrounds, highlighting a disturbing trend of violence erupting from Eritrean migrant gatherings. What began as cultural celebrations quickly descended into chaos, leaving cities scarred and authorities grappling with the aftermath. From Europe to America, the echoes of unrest reverberate, raising urgent questions about the challenges posed by mass migration and cultural tensions.
Chaos in The Hague
The streets of The Hague once again descended into chaos on Saturday evening as an Eritrean migrant party spiraled into a night of mayhem and destruction, leaving four police officers injured and a trail of devastation in its wake.
What began as a gathering in a hall in The Hague of Eritreans to hold a late New Year’s celebration quickly escalated into a violent clash, with rioters unleashing havoc upon the city. Extensive damage was inflicted, with multiple cars set ablaze, including two police vehicles, and numerous storefronts vandalized. Now there is a call from politicians for tough measures: ‘Apprehension, prosecution and, in the event of asylum status, immediate deportation!’ In Western Europe, Eritrean parties have been causing enormous violence for years.
According to General Commander Mariëlle van Vulpen, the officers faced an unprecedented level of aggression from the rioters, who launched a sudden and ferocious attack. The toll of the violence is stark: two officers were injured in the hands, one sustained injuries to her teeth, and another was struck by a police vehicle.
Response and Investigation
In response to the chaos, authorities were forced to issue an emergency order and employ tear gas to quell the unrest. However, the morning light revealed the true extent of the carnage, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
The party, organized by pro-government Eritreans, stirred tensions among dissenting factions, leading to clashes outside the conference center. The discord escalated into street violence.
The windows of the conference center were smashed. The rioters were also trying to break inside, according to a reporter at the scene. The police were trying to protect the building. The fire brigade was dispatched to the scene but left the area. Two police cars were also set on fire, and a Grip 2 regional emergency was declared.
.
Multiple vehicles were set ablaze, and large rocks were thrown at police who attempted to mitigate the riot.
The massive violence prompted massive intervention from law enforcement. Despite several arrests, the majority of perpetrators remain at large, prompting the establishment of a large-scale Investigation team to track down and apprehend those responsible. The situation is further complicated by conflicting reports, with the Federation of Eritrean Communities attributing the violence to Ethiopians, according to a spokesperson at Hart van Nederland.
Political and Community Response
An Eritrean spokesperson highlighted simmering tensions stemming from recent conflicts in the Tigray region, suggesting that Ethiopians harbored resentment and expressed it through violent means. However, the mayor and the police have maintained that those apprehended thus far hold Dutch or Eritrean nationality. According to official statements, the group involved in the violence was affiliated with the Eritrean organization Brigade Nhamedu.
The mayor of The Hague, Jan van Zanen, expressed shock at the level of violence despite the extensive precautions taken by authorities. Van Zanen acknowledged the inherent tensions that can arise during gatherings within the Eritrean community, stating, ‘The police and municipality were aware of the meeting in advance.’ Security measures were heightened in anticipation of potential unrest, with additional police units placed on standby. Despite these efforts, the violent outbursts perpetrated by certain individuals within the Eritrean community resulted in widespread destruction and chaos throughout the city.
Politicians have voiced outrage in the aftermath of the turmoil and demanded decisive action. Councilor Rachid Guernaoui decried the scene as resembling a “war zone,” insisting on firm measures against the perpetrators. His sentiment was echoed by VVD faction leader Lotte van Basten Batenburg and JA21 senator Annabel Nanninga, who called for the apprehension, prosecution, and, if applicable, immediate deportation of those involved.
Geert Wilders also responded. “Why is half the world allowed in here to tear down our country, fight mutual feuds, throw stones at police officers, and set their cars on fire?” he wonders.
Widespread Impact: A European Perspective
This incident is not an isolated one; Eritrean parties have long been associated with violence and unrest, not only in the Netherlands but Isreal and across Western Europe. Countries such as Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Norway, and Belgium have all grappled with similar challenges, with some even going so far as to prohibit the organization of such events.
Echoes in America: The Charlotte Incident
In a striking parallel to the events in The Hague, a recent incident in North Carolina has once again brought attention to the challenges posed by tensions within migrant communities. On Saturday, authorities in Charlotte arrested eight African Eritrean migrants during a cultural festival, charging them with offenses including riot and assault.
Police Response and Legal Actions
The chaos erupted during a clash between rival Eritrean gangs, igniting a standoff that persisted for over 10 hours. Rioters attacked police officers with sticks, rocks, and various projectiles, even going so far as to set fire to a tractor. The Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department responded, with one female arrested and charged with inciting a riot, failure to disperse, injury to personal property, and assault on a government official. She reportedly assaulted an officer and was found to be in possession of a firearm during the riot, which was subsequently seized by police.
The other seven individuals involved were charged with impeding traffic and failure to disperse. The incident unfolded around 11:30 am in the parking lot of a business hosting the Eritrean cultural celebration on Monroe Road. Initial calls to the police described the gathering as an “unlawful protest.” Despite officers issuing dispersal orders upon their arrival, the group refused to comply, spilling out onto the public road.
As tensions escalated, with officers attempting to clear the street around 3:00 pm, they were met with resistance from the group, impeding their efforts to disperse the rioters effectively. Officers deployed pepper spray in response to objects being thrown and physical altercations breaking out. Both protesters and officers required treatment for injuries related to the pepper spray.
The situation continued to deteriorate despite multiple dispersal orders being issued throughout the afternoon in both English and Spanish. By evening, the group had blocked the entrance to the private business hosting the celebration and set fire to a nearby tractor-trailer, further escalating the violence.
The officers were met with violence and hostility, with protesters throwing objects,” stated the department in a press release, as reported by Fox News. “Over the course of several hours, the CEU gave multiple dispersal orders in English and Spanish and were again met with violence from protesters wielding sticks, rocks, and other items.
Addressing the Risks of Open Borders Unchecked Migration
As The Hague and Charlotte reel from the aftermath of these violent clashes, it’s evident that this is not merely isolated incidents but symptomatic of broader societal challenges. The trend of violence stemming from Eritrean migrant gatherings underscores the pressing issue of mass migration and open borders, which has brought these tensions to Western shores. The risks posed by unchecked migration extend beyond physical harm, threatening the safety and well-being of all Westerners.