The Hague shopkeepers board up stores following online calls for Gen. Z protest

Fearing what may happen during the Gen. Z protests, a large number of shopkeepers in The Hague began boarding up their storefronts on Friday. Calls to protest have been circulating on social media, and the shop owners are staying cautious in case they will actually materialize.

Dutch Interior Minister Pieter Heerma had earlier warned of “alarming reports” circulating online about young adults planning violent riots in some Dutch cities. Heerma issues a broad appeal on Friday: “Demonstrating is allowed in this country; that is a great asset. Bur behave yourselves and ensure you do not get drawn into disturbances.”

Calls on social media platforms, including Instagram, Telegram, and Snapchat, have been urging people in several Dutch cities to protest. Several media outlets reported this week that the messages specifically focused on calling Generation Z members to participate in public disorder and vandalism.

In the Hague’s city center, Kruidvat, Guess, Lego, and Tommy Hilfiger, among other stores, have already boarded up their fronts. Some shopkeepers have issued warnings that their locations are to stay closed over the weekend.

The City of The Hague had previously said that it was "alert and prepared" for a possible protest on the Malieveld on Saturday. It added that police officers will be "visibly present" there.

The fact that no protests have been registered in The Hague is not particularly reassuring for local business owners. The memory of recent demonstrations in France, Italy, and Belgium is still fresh. There, protests escalated into large riots, ending with many stores being damaged and looted.

Earlier, during his weekly press conference, Prime Minister Rob Jetten said he expects mayors and the police to prepare thoroughly for possible protests. "If you want to demonstrate in the Netherlands, you can do so in all kinds of places and ways, but do not misbehave as we have seen in other countries."