in the picture. The Dutch police are trying with all their might to nip major climate protests in the bud abroad

On Saturday, police intervened at a protest by the climate action group Extinction Rebellion on the A12 motorway in The Hague. Around noon, hundreds of activists set up a blockade there.

The first groups gathered around 11:30 a.m. around the highway, Malieveld (the large lawn where protests are often held) and the temporary House of Representatives building. They carried banners and placards with texts like “WE DEFEND THE RIGHT TO PROTEST”, “DO SOMETHING BETTER WITH ALL OF THE MONEY” and “CATCH THE REAL CLIMATE SCAMMERS”. Several police officers were present, who warned the activists not to enter the highway.

When they did at noon and blocked the A12, the police got involved. The activists were arrested, taken away and put on a truck. Police also warned on Twitter that protesters would be arrested on the road if they did not leave.

It was very difficult to arrest the activists who remained on the road. The protesters did not cooperate and handcuffed themselves into groups. The police had to rely on grinding wheels to remove them. There were many spectators on both sides of the road and above the tunnel cheering the protesters on the road and shouting at the police.

Police said afterward that dozens of people were eventually arrested. However, according to Extinction Rebellion, more than five hundred people have been arrested. Those arrested were bussed in and housed in gyms, among other places.

In recent days, seven Extinction Rebellion supporters have already been arrested for publicly protesting the government’s handling of fossil material subsidies. They invited others to participate in the checkpoint, but according to the Public Prosecution, they are guilty of sedition. They are now free again.