Uithoorn municipality resists planned asylum seeker centre on Amstelveen border

The municipality of Uithoorn has formally opposed the construction of a new asylum seeker centre (AZC) on the border with Amstelveen. While the town council granted an environmental permit for a reception site at the Wiegerbruinlaan office building, it stated it will not cooperate with the development of the planned AZC in Amstelveen‑South, describing the location as “poorly chosen” and unsuitable for humane reception.

The opposition sparked protests in Uithoorn. Demonstrators supporting the AZC gathered at the town hall, while opponents surrounded them, throwing bottles, eggs and setting off smoke bombs. Police kept the two groups apart, and the mobile unit (ME) eventually withdrew. A small group remained after the main protests ended. During the march, PVV leader Geert Wilders addressed the crowd, calling for “remigration” and urging a non‑violent protest, while the Dutch National Coordination Centre for Counter‑Terrorism warned that extremist rhetoric could become normalized.

Uithoorn plans to host up to 250 asylum seekers in the vacant office building on Wiegerbruinlaan, and the municipality has indicated it will not allow access to the site via Uithoorn’s territory or road network. A protest march is scheduled for Thursday evening.