Police carried protesters onto buses to clear the highway
More than 1,500 local weather protesters have been arrested by police in the Netherlands after blocking a significant motorway in The Hague.
During the protest, organised by Extinction Rebellion, activists walked onto the A12 freeway demanding an finish to fossil gas subsidies.
Police fired water cannon to attempt to disperse the crowds – however many got here ready in raincoats and swimsuits.
Most arrested protesters have been launched, however police stated 40 can be prosecuted.
Among these at Saturday’s protest have been a number of Dutch celebrities, together with actress Carice van Houten, identified for enjoying Melisandre in TV collection Game of Thrones. She was arrested however later allowed to return residence, Dutch information company ANP stated.
Extinction Rebellion accused police of utilizing water cannon simply 15 minutes after the beginning of the blockade – however police said they had asked the activists to go away and gave them an opportunity to take action earlier than utilizing the water cannon.
The 1,579 individuals who refused to go away have been then arrested.
Some protesters wore raincoats to face the water cannon
Forty individuals will nonetheless be prosecuted, police stated, after being arrested for different prison offences resembling vandalism and resisting arrest ensuing in damage.
The arrests occurred in the house of just some hours and the highway was cleared by early night on Saturday.
Extinction Rebellion stated at the very least 6,000 individuals demonstrated on the A12 or subsequent to it – together with the “A12 orchestra” of greater than 80 musicians.
It is the seventh time Extinction Rebellion protesters have blocked the A12. Protesting on this highway is banned below guidelines introduced in by the mayor.
