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Dutch town hall attacked by anti-refugee protesters

Xinhua, December 17, 2015 Adjust font size:

The town hall in the Dutch province of Geldermalsen was attacked Wednesday night by rioters protesting against the arrival of refugees.

The council of Geldermalsen was about to start a meeting to discuss the plan to build a reception center for 1,500 refugees when hundreds of protesters went violent outside.

Some protesters destroyed the fences around the town hall and threw bottles, stones and fireworks at the police and toward the town hall.

The Dutch riot police fired several warning shots to keep the protesters away from the town hall. During the riots two police officers were slightly injured.

Police arrested 11 people for various offenses and would arrest more based on camera images.

The square around the town hall was cleared at around 10.30 p.m. (2130 GMT).

The influx of asylum seekers has caused a capacity problem in the Netherlands and municipalities are requested to create more room.

The incidents around the council meeting in Geldermalsen followed similar disruptions in Steenbergen and Purmerend. Endi