A spokesman says he still does not know exactly how many activists have been arrested, but speaks of ‘several hundreds’.
Despite a ban from the municipality, twelve activists tried to block the A12 just before noon. They were arrested for committing preparatory acts for a criminal offense, the police say.
Those who stayed were arrested
Shortly afterwards, hundreds of people walked into the tunnel at the Utrechtsebaan to demonstrate there. The police asked them to leave several times and many of them complied. Those climate activists who remained were detained.
The police state that the arrests on both the activists’ and the police’s side were ‘quiet and peaceful’. But Extinction Rebellion says some of the arrests involved “excessive force.”
Handled with priority
Detainees were taken to the police station, where their identities were verified. Minors and people with a medical condition could report for priority treatment.
Around 5 p.m., the last activists had been removed from and along the road. More than half an hour later, the A12 was reopened to traffic.
