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Protest in swimwear
Photograph:
IMAGO / IMAGO/ANP
Dutch police have arrested several hundred people at a demonstration of climate activists in The Hague. On Saturday, for the seventh time, they had blocked a section of the A12 motorway not far from the seat of parliament and government of the Netherlands. Because of the bright sunshine and the cooling by water cannons, some demonstrated in swimming trunks and bikinis.
Enlarge imagePhoto:
IMAGO/Sem van der Wal / IMAGO/ANP
With the action, the group Extinction Rebellion wanted to protest against the government's energy policy, according to its own statements. According to estimates, more than 3,000 people responded to the call to participate.
Water cannons against demonstrators
According to police, hundreds of demonstrators were removed from the street and taken to waiting buses. Some had chained themselves to each other. According to the ANP news agency, police used water cannons to prevent protesters from blocking the stretch of highway.
Enlarge imagePhoto: IMAGO / IMAGO/ANP
This time, the officers intervened earlier than in previous disruptive actions by Extinction Rebellion. The municipality of The Hague had previously warned the demonstrators that blocking the expressway was prohibited.
evh/dpa