Hundreds of Extinction Rebellion protesters wave banners outside The Hague saying it is ‘a dead end’
>
Hundreds of Extinction Rebellion protesters wave banners outside The Hague declaring “this is a dead end” as they block the road near the Dutch parliament in the latest stunt on climate change.
- Protesters waved colored flags with the symbol of Extinction Rebellion on the A12
- Officers began arresting protesters who refused to get off the road.
- Earlier this week, six Extinction Rebellion activists were detained by authorities.
Hundreds of Extinction Rebellion protesters waved banners outside The Hague declaring “this is a dead end” as they blocked the road near the Dutch parliament.
In their latest stunt on climate change, protesters waved colored flags emblazoned with the Extinction Rebellion symbol as they gathered on the A12.
About an hour after the blockade began, officers began arresting protesters who refused to get off the road.
Earlier this week, authorities arrested six Extinction Rebellion activists on suspicion of sedition related to calls to organize the protest.
Hundreds of Extinction Rebellion protesters waved banners outside The Hague declaring “this is a dead end” as they blocked the road near the Dutch parliament.
Officers began arresting protesters who refused to get off the road. The activists were released after they chained each other.
A judge on Friday upheld an order barring another activist from staying in the area for 90 days.
But the arrests and the exclusion order provoked anger among the activists, who argued that it violates their right to peaceful protest.
Extinction Rebellion spokeswoman Anne Kervers said the large number of participants “shows what society thinks of fossil fuel subsidies and the intimidation and criminalization of nonviolent climate activism.”
Prosecutors defended their actions, saying the suspects were asking supporters to participate in the “dangerous and disruptive blockade” of the highway.
The arrests sparked anger among activists, who argued that it violates their right to peaceful protest.
Other activists joined the protest that blocked the road out of solidarity
“Invoking a criminal offense, such as blocking a public highway, amounts to sedition,” prosecutors said in a statement.
They said the blockade of the busy highway leading to The Hague was a danger to motorists and protesters.
“Demonstrations is a fundamental right and is facilitated by the municipality of The Hague,” the prosecutors said.
‘There are hundreds of demonstrations in The Hague every year that go off without a hitch. But a demonstration is not a license to commit crimes.
“Asking for a criminal offense, such as blocking a public highway, amounts to sedition,” prosecutors said in a statement.
However, Extinction Rebellion activists have vowed to continue the protests, demanding an end to government tax breaks for companies linked to fossil fuels.
‘It’s essential that citizens can speak out against this in a place that matters. For Extinction Rebellion, this includes the A12, between the House of Representatives and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate,” the group said in a statement.
“Any disturbance to traffic, for example, will have to be tolerated.”
Other activists joined the protest out of solidarity.
“We are very concerned that the right to protest is increasingly restricted in the Netherlands. We strongly support peaceful activists exercising their right to protest,” Andy Palmen of Greenpeace’s Dutch arm said in a statement ahead of the rally.