More than 1,500 arrested at Extinction Rebellion protest in The Hague
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ore than 1,500 individuals had been arrested throughout a protest by Extinction Rebellion in The Hague on Saturday.
Climate activists brought about journey chaos for motorists after blocking a piece of a motorway throughout a protest towards Dutch gas subsidies within the afternoon.
Police mentioned that they had used a water cannon to disperse activists blocking a serious highway within the metropolis, and arrested “a total of 1,579 people … 40 of whom will be prosecuted” on prices together with vandalism.
Police forcibly take away activists through the protests
/ ANP/AFP through Getty ImagesOne of the activists bit a police officer throughout his arrest, police mentioned.
Several Dutch celebrities had been among the many protesters, together with Carice van Houten, greatest recognized for her position as Melisandre within the hit TV collection Game of Thrones. Van Houten posted a video on Instagram exhibiting herself sporting a crimson poncho, getting drenched from a water cannon.
ANP reported that she was arrested and later allowed to return dwelling, however didn’t specify whether or not she was amongst those that shall be prosecuted.
Around 7,000 individuals took half within the demonstration, based on Extinction Rebellion.
“We’re going to stay here until they drag us away,” mentioned postgraduate pupil Anne Kerevers, 31.
“Climate change is an unfolding crisis and we know the cause and it’s still being subsidised by our government and it needs to stop,” she advised AFP.
Police mentioned that they had repeatedly “given activists the opportunity to end their action and leave” earlier than utilizing the water cannon and making arrests.
“We’ve been coming back every month, or every two months, and every time the number (of protesters) has doubled,” mentioned Aaron Pereira, a spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion.
“There is broad popular support for real climate action and people are waking up to the fact that the government is actively going against this by subsidising the fossil fuel industry.”