Extinction Rebellion activists plan another A10 blockade amid tensions with ING

Climate activists from Extinction Rebellion (XR) are planning to block the A10 highway again on Saturday near the former ING office in Amsterdam. The group is demanding that ING immediately cease financing the fossil fuel industry.

While ING’s headquarters have since moved to Bijlmerdreef in Zuidoost, XR’s protest will focus on the location previously known as the "poenschoen" along the A10 ring road.

A spokesperson for ING labeled XR’s demands as unrealistic and criticized their methods of protest. “Our goal to cease financing oil and gas extraction by 2040 is extraordinarily ambitious and aligned with climate targets,” the spokesperson said.

Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema has banned the demonstration, as she has with similar XR actions in the past. XR has blocked the A10 multiple times, including in February and April last year. XR has also recently blocked A12 in The Hague, cause altercation with police, who ended up deploying water canons.

In March 2024, the police prevented another attempt to disrupt traffic, with XR accusing the authorities of imposing "unprecedented restrictions on freedom." A representative for Halsema defended the intervention, citing “a life-threatening situation on the highway.”

The Public Prosecution Service (OM) announced in September that it would prosecute 13 XR activists for "causing danger" during previous A10 blockades. A spokesperson from the OM stated this was the first time Extinction Rebellion members would face charges for such actions. Those being prosecuted were reportedly drivers and renters of vehicles used to halt traffic. The trial dates for the accused activists have not yet been set.