Within two days: Nearly 3,000 arrests at climate demonstrations in The Hague

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In total, almost 3,000 participants were temporarily arrested this weekend at two banned protests for more climate protection in The Hague. They blocked the A12 highway near the Dutch parliament and government district on Saturday and Sunday. On both days, the police used water cannons against the Extinction Rebellion (XR) group. According to a statement, emergency services arrested more than 500 participants on Sunday, compared to about 2,400 the day before.

According to city government estimates, about 1,000 people took part in the blockade on Sunday; the day before, around 9,000 people followed a call from XR. According to XR and other organizations, several thousand people demonstrated this weekend outside the highway area, where the actions were largely permitted. According to media reports, many of these protesters expressed solidarity with the blockade.

The detainees were taken by bus to a stadium

The Hague mayor, Jan van Zanen, approved the forced evacuation of the stretch of highway after demonstrators there resisted calls to clear the road. They had been offered to hold their demonstration against the government’s energy policy not far from The Hague Central Station, where it was legal.

Just like on Saturday, the detainees were taken by bus to the stadium of football club ADO Den Haag on Sunday. Most of them were released a short time later. According to the police, criminal proceedings have been initiated against only a few.

According to its own information, XR wants to block the A12 every day until all government subsidies for fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas in the Netherlands have been abolished. The group accuses the government of reneging on its promise to eliminate tax breaks and other forms of subsidies for aviation, shipping, fossil fuel generation and oil production. (SDA)

Source: Blick