Youth gang riots outside a home in Urk: a mom wounded, home-invaded, 2 arrests and lots of unrest

The small northern town of Urk has been rocked by riots of Urk youths. The riots began as police were called to settle a violent home invasion. The brawl escalated, batons, dogs and all necessary force was used on Monday. On Tuesday evening police returned and arrested two men in connection with the riots while unrest continued till today. 

Gang riots in Urk following insults

On Monday night the Boukhizzou family (of Dutch-Moroccan decent) was assaulted and harassed at their home. The argument started at a snack bar in Flevoland after a man’s girlfriend was allegedly insulted by a youth from the Dutch-Moroccan family. Nearly 100 “Urkers” (did I get this right?) went looking for revenge in Urk.

Racists sentiments might have motivated the violence

It’s likely that race was also a factor in this attack, conjuring up anger and violence. Several men forced their way in, injuring the 36-year-old mother, 18-year-old Soufyan and his sister. Apparently, they were also chanting ‘Geert Wilders’ throughout the attack.

The gang clashed with Police, who had been called to Urk from surrounding areas. Urk’s mayor Pieter van Maaren described the massive, hate-filled attack as “completely unacceptable”.

Police arrest two men in connection to riots

Urk became a battleground. Police “had their hands full with crowd control” on Monday. Police issued a warning to locals to keep their children inside on Tuesday night. Police then randomly inspected houses to search for culprits. Two men were arrested for their involvement.

An 18-year-old and a 21-year-old were taken by police last night. The 21-year-old suspect was picked up after uploading a video of himself waving a gun and threatening Soufyan with worse attacks. The unrest continues today.

Anyways, Urk isn’t your regular Dutch town, it used to be an island and is really, REALLY, Christian. Well, better read up on Wikipedia on it.

What do you make of this messy public disturbance? Does arresting only two people go far enough? Follow the discussion on our Facebook page.

Feat pic: Wikimedia/CC/Pa3ems

Jesse Rintoul
Jesse Rintoulhttps://textmood.co/
I'm a 24-year-old writer living in Amsterdam, pursuing videography and media. The coffee I am drinking in my profile picture is a black coffee.

1 COMMENT

  1. I hope, and assume, the family was of Dutch-Moroccan descent, not dissent. Language is a precious instrument, and should be played with the utmost care. Don’t spread derogatory and fake news!

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