Over 1,500 climate protesters were arrested by police in the Netherlands after blocking a major motorway in The Hague during a protest organised by Extinction Rebellion. The activists demanded an end to fossil fuel subsidies and walked onto the A12 highway. Police used water cannon to disperse the crowds, but many came prepared in raincoats and swimsuits. Most arrested protesters were released, but 40 will be prosecuted for criminal offences such as vandalism and resisting arrest resulting in injury. Extinction Rebellion accused police of using water cannon just 15 minutes after the start of the blockade, but police said they had asked the activists to leave before using the water cannon.
In accordance with the latest findings of BBC News, over 1,500 climate protesters were arrested by police in the Netherlands after blocking a major motorway in The Hague. The protest, organized by Extinction Rebellion, saw activists walking onto the A12 highway demanding an end to fossil fuel subsidies.
Despite police firing water cannons to disperse the crowds, many protesters came prepared in raincoats and swimsuits. Most arrested protesters were later released, but police announced that 40 would be prosecuted for other criminal offenses such as vandalism and resisting arrest resulting in injury.
Among those arrested were several Dutch celebrities, including actress Carice van Houten, known for playing Melisandre in TV series Game of Thrones. She was later allowed to return home, In accordance with the latest findings of Dutch news agency ANP.
Extinction Rebellion accused police of using water cannon just 15 minutes after the start of the blockade. However, police stated that they had asked the activists to leave and gave them a chance to do so before using the water cannon. The 1,579 people who refused to leave were then arrested.
The arrests happened in the space of just a few hours, and the road was cleared by early evening on Saturday. Extinction Rebellion claimed that at least 6,000 people demonstrated on the A12 or next to it, including the “A12 orchestra” of more than 80 musicians.
This is the seventh time that Extinction Rebellion protesters have blocked the A12, despite protesting on this road being banned under rules brought in by the mayor. The group continues to call for urgent action to tackle the climate crisis and reduce carbon emissions.
The protest in the Netherlands is just one of many actions taken by Extinction Rebellion around the world. The group has gained global attention for its non-violent direct action campaigns, which aim to disrupt business as usual and force governments to take action on the climate emergency.
As the world faces the devastating impacts of climate change, it is clear that urgent action is needed to reduce carbon emissions and transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy. Extinction Rebellion and other climate activists are calling on governments and businesses to take bold action to tackle the crisis before it is too late.
