Extinction Rebellion’s protest in The Hague on Saturday resulted in more than 1,500 arrests, according to Dutch police.
Throughout the afternoon, protesters against Dutch fossil fuel subsidies shut down a portion of a highway.
Police reported that they had arrested “a total of 1,579 persons… 40 of whom will be prosecuted” on offences including vandalism. They claimed that they had used water cannons to disperse activists blocking a main road in the city.
A police officer was bit during the protestors’ arrest, according to the authorities.
Extinction Rebellion reports that some 7,000 individuals showed up to participate in the protest.
Other protesters carried umbrellas or were dressed in swimwear as they sat across the A12 freeway carrying flags and slogans in anticipation of the water cannon.
The Hague’s Extinction Rebellion has organized seven protests in the same area of the highway near the parliament and other ministry buildings.
According to the Dutch news agency ANP, however, Saturday’s demonstration witnessed the largest number of arrests ever.
“We’re going to stay here until they drag us away,” said postgraduate student Anne Kerevers, 31.
“Climate change is an unfolding crisis and we know the cause and it’s still being subsidised by our government and it needs to stop,” she told AFP.
Many Dutch celebrities, including Carice van Houten, who is best known for playing Melisandre in the popular television series “Game of Thrones,” were present at the demonstration.
In a video that she uploaded to Instagram, Van Houten can be seen being wet with a water cannon while donning a red poncho.
She was reportedly detained before being allowed to go home, but ANP did not say whether she would face legal action.
