Climate activists have blocked part of a highway in The Hague to protest Dutch fossil fuel subsidies.
More than 1,500 people were arrested during a demonstration of Extinction Rebellion climate group in The Hague, Dutch police said.
Activists blocked a stretch of highway in the city center on Saturday to protest Dutch fossil fuel subsidies.
Police said they used water cannons to disperse activists blocking a major road in the city and arrested “a total of 1,579 people… 40 of whom will be prosecuted” for crimes including including vandalism.
We will not stop fighting for climate justice pic.twitter.com/3OImzB1hUv
– Den Haag Extinction Rebellion (@XRTheHague) May 27, 2023
One of the activists bit an officer while he was being arrested, police said.
Several Dutch celebrities were among the protesters, including Carice van Houten, best known for her role as Melisandre in the hit TV series Game of Thrones.
Dutch news agency ANP reported that she was arrested but was later allowed to return home.
It did not say whether she was among those who would be prosecuted.
The protests marked the seventh time organized by Extinction Rebellion in this part of The Hague, but the highest number of arrests to date, according to the ANP.
The environmental campaign group has in recent years gained media attention by disrupting, attacking roads, airports and other public transport networks with direct actions of protest. combat climate change.
Last month, it started four days of action in Londonpromises to be less disruptive and more inclusive than the mass blockades that have become its trademark.
