ANP Supporters of Extinction Rebellion (XR) block the Utrechtsebaan
NOS News•yesterday, 12:31•Modified yesterday, 15:15
Activists from Extinction Rebellion (XR) are again blocking the Utrechtsebaan in The Hague today in protest against government subsidies for fossil fuels.
The occupation of the A12 started at exactly 12:00. It is estimated that there are now at least 500 protesters on the stretch of highway between the building of the House of Representatives and the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
Some protesters set up tents to spend the night on the highway:
Extinction Rebellion blocks A12 motorway again: ‘We are taking peaceful action’
The climate organization has already demonstrated several times on that part of the A12, which led to traffic congestion and, according to the police, also to unsafe situations.
Because the police unions are also protesting today for a new early retirement scheme, there are far fewer officers on the streets. A reporter on the scene sees a handful of officers at the demonstration, far fewer than at previous blockades.
A protester tells NOS that he is glad that there is no large police force on the streets. “If there is a lot of fuss about people being arrested, then that is all it is about. But it is about the fact that things are not going well with the climate and that I am very worried about the world my grandchildren will have to live in.”
Preventive shutdown
Some of the XR protesters arrived in The Hague today after a multi-day protest march from Arnhem.
For a moment it seemed that Rijkswaterstaat would preventively close the road. That announcement was later withdrawn. “We did not communicate this properly before,” said Minister Madlener of Infrastructure and Water Management.
The municipality of The Hague writes on X that blocking the Utrechtsebaan is prohibited. “The Malieveld next door is available for demonstrations.” A spokesperson reports that the police are monitoring the situation. Based on this, it will be determined whether to intervene.
Mayor
The police will not take action until 5 p.m. anyway, spokespeople for the National Police Action Center have said. The mayor could call on the police after that time. Whether that will happen immediately is unclear. “Whether or not the police are deployed is up to the mayor,” strike leader Maarten Brink told Omroep West.
