Netherlands: “Yellow vest” protests December 1

Event

The "yellow vest" movement held several protests across the Netherlands on Saturday, December 1, with demonstrations reported in The Hague, Leeuwarden, Limburg, Nijmegen, and Maastricht. Organizers of the Dutch protests reportedly called for the demonstrations to denounce perceived economic inequalities impacting the middle class. In Maastricht, protesters attempted to block traffic on the A2 motorway but were stopped by police. Protest leaders in Nijmegen have stated that they will stage similar demonstrations in the city center on every Saturday in December. At least four arrests were reported during the protests, and additional demonstrations are to be anticipated in the coming weeks.

Context

The "yellow vest" movement has been carrying out near-daily protests since November 17 against rising fuel prices and a planned fuel tax. Hundreds of thousands have engaged in slow-rolling protests to block roads and highways, causing significant traffic disruptions in several European countries, while violent unrest in France has caused widespread property damage nationwide.

Advice

Individuals in the Netherlands are advised to monitor developments to the situation, allow for extra time to reach their destinations, and avoid all protests as a precaution. Those in affected areas are strictly advised to avoid where protests are ongoing due to the risk of incidental violence and to adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.