Climate Activists Detained, Protest Dispersed with Water Cannons in The Hague
Protest Background
Extinction Rebellion (XR) activists continued their efforts to raise awareness about climate change and the effects of fossil fuel subsidies by blocking a main highway in The Hague, Netherlands, on Saturday. This is not the first time the group has taken such action, as similar protests occurred last year. The protest aimed to draw attention to the urgent need for climate action and to demand a shift away from fossil fuels.
Protest and Police Response
The protest began around mid-day, with hundreds of activists gathering and walking onto the A12 highway, despite police attempts to stop them. The protesters ignored a request from the city and police to remain on the Malieveld open ground in the city center and not to enter the neighboring arterial road. Several hundred protesters carried banners and placards, waving XR flags, and marched onto the road.
Water Cannons and Detention
Several hours into the protest, police used two water cannons to disperse the crowd. The activists who were sitting on the main road were then detained. Most were later released at a location near the ADO stadium on the city’s outskirts, according to local news radio Omroep West.
Reactions and Statements
Protester Christian Loncle, 49, expressed his frustration with the current pace of climate action, stating, "Politicians are not doing enough yet" to address the issue. He referenced the current wildfires in Los Angeles, California, saying, "I’m not a scientist, but hopefully politicians are listening to us instead of waiting until their houses burn down." Wildfires do occur naturally, but scientists attribute human-caused climate change to the alteration of weather patterns and the dynamics of the blazes.
Comparison to Previous Protests
Last year, climate activist Greta Thunberg was detained twice during a similar march to protest against fossil fuel subsidies. This recent protest follows a series of efforts by XR to raise awareness about the urgent need for climate action and the role of fossil fuels in exacerbating the crisis.
Conclusion
The protest, while confronted with resistance from police, aimed to emphasize the importance of addressing climate change and transitioning away from fossil fuels. The detained activists’ statements highlight the urgency of the issue and the need for policymakers to take immediate action. As the world continues to grapple with the consequences of climate change, such protests serve as a reminder of the critical importance of collective action.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What was the purpose of the protest?
- The protest aimed to raise awareness about climate change and the effects of fossil fuel subsidies.
- How many activists were detained?
- Around 700 activists were detained.
- What was the police response to the protest?
- The police used water cannons to disperse the crowd and detained activists sitting on the main road.
- What was the outcome of the protest?
- The protest was dispersed, and most detained activists were later released at a location near the ADO stadium.