Nearly 700 climate activists detained in the Netherlands after blocking the city’s main highway

MADRID Jan 12 () –

Around 700 climate activists were arrested this Saturday in The Hague (Netherlands) after blocking the city’s main highway during a day of demonstration organized by the environmental collective Extinction Rebellion to protest fossil fuel subsidies.

The Hague Police used water cannons in temperatures close to freezing point to disperse climate change activists who blocked the A12 motorway and surrounding roads this Saturday, according to the news portal Dutch News.

The nearly 700 arrested were then taken by buses to the ADO Den Haag football stadium, where they were released. In addition, twelve people were arrested for other crimes, including incitement, and taken to a police station for questioning.

The Hague city council had refused permission for the protest, which was the 40th blocking action organized by the Extinction Rebellion group. Instead, authorities suggested that protesters gather in nearby Malieveld.

The protest has caused significant traffic congestion, but the highway was reopened at 5 p.m. Extinction Rebellion has been promoting a campaign to end fossil fuel subsidies and tax breaks for oil, gas and coal companies.