Asylum center protests in the Netherlands are attracting a diverse range of radical groups and individuals, leading to concerns about ideological cross-pollination and further radicalization. These protests, initially focused on the arrival of asylum seekers, have become a rallying point for extreme right-wing elements, football hooligans, radicalized corona critics, and individuals with criminal backgrounds.

The demonstrations have seen instances of violent confrontations with the police, the use of the Hitler salute, and the harassment of public officials, highlighting the escalating tensions and potential for further unrest. Experts have warned against the merging of various forms of discontent, as it can lead to ideological cross-pollination and increased radicalization.

In Eibergen, a recent protest against a new asylum reception center drew approximately three hundred people, including conspiracy theorists who believe the influx of refugees is a deliberate strategy by “the elite” to divide citizens and consolidate power. The event featured speakers promoting conspiracy theories and radical ideas, such as “omvolking” (replacement of the population) and “remigration,” terms often used by the extreme right.

The protests are fueled by a general aversion to the government and often align with the “Great Reset” theory, which posits that a global elite orchestrated the corona crisis and the nitrogen crisis to enslave citizens and expropriate farmers. This theory serves as a unifying factor for various discontented groups, who see the asylum issue as another facet of the same overarching conspiracy.

Individuals with ties to extremist groups and criminal pasts have been involved in organizing and participating in these protests, further underscoring the radical nature of the movement. The growing convergence of diverse radical groups raises concerns about the potential for increased violence and social disruption.