Two XR activists arrested after stink-fueled protest at H&M in Naaldwijk
Two individuals were arrested after a protest by Extinction Rebellion (XR) at an H&M store in Naaldwijk caused several people to feel unwell. The protest, which involved the release of a stinky liquid inside the store, led to the evacuation of the store and temporary closure.
The incident occurred at an H&M location, where a number of customers and employees began to feel ill after the liquid was spilled. Emergency personnel arrived at the scene, and those affected were examined but did not require hospitalization, according to local news reports. The police confirmed that the substance used was not harmful, although the exact liquid involved has not been disclosed.
XR activists stated the substance was butyric acid, a chemical that produces a foul odor. The group explained the protest was aimed at criticizing the fast-fashion industry, specifically targeting H&M for its environmental impact. XR expressed regret for the unintended consequences of the action. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), they apologized to everyone involved, stating they were "shocked" by the effects.
"We did not intend for anyone to feel unwell," XR said in their statement. "We are investigating the incident to prevent similar situations in the future."
