The protest and the detention of hundreds of activists
About 700 environmental activists were detained by Dutch police on Saturday after blocking the A12 highway in The Hague, News.bg reports.
Water cannons were used to disperse the protesters. The blockade caused significant traffic jams, which according to police slowed the response of ambulances and other emergency services.
Context and purpose of the protests
The demonstration, organized by Extinction Rebellion (XR), is another in a series of protests aimed at eliminating fossil fuel subsidies. The movement cites the climate crisis and the harm of fossil fuel financing as the main reasons for its actions.
Authority response
Law enforcement provided a significant presence – from foot patrols and mounted police to the use of a police drone to monitor protesters. The strong response has sparked mixed reviews of the authorities' actions.