Arrests top 400 at Extinction Rebellion's A12 blockade, double initial police estimate

More than 400 demonstrators were arrested Saturday during a climate protest on the A12 highway near Utrecht, police said, revising an earlier estimate of just over 200 detentions.

The action, organized by Extinction Rebellion, led to major traffic disruptions around Utrecht. Rijkswaterstaat urged road users to avoid routes near the city due to congestion.

Police said three activists in cars stopped on the A12, triggering what authorities described as “the actual blockade of the highway.” A group of several dozen demonstrators later walked onto the road. The three individuals who halted traffic were arrested.

Some motorists stuck in traffic got out of their vehicles to observe the blockade. An ANP photographer reported that several angry drivers attempted to physically pull activists away.

Police began clearing the highway shortly afterward. Demonstrators were told to leave and warned that force could be used if they did not comply.

The protesters are calling for an immediate end to fossil fuel subsidies, which they say amount to between 39.7 billion and 46.4 billion euros annually. They argue the money should instead be used for housing, health care, decolonial recovery, and debt relief.

The demonstrators gathered around 11:30 a.m. at a different location than the one authorized by the municipality. They shouted slogans such as “We want climate justice” and waved flags.

Vincent Karremans condemned the protest, writing, X: "Blocking highways by activists, like today on the A12, is extremely dangerous for road users, Rijkswaterstaat employees, and emergency responders. Protesting is allowed, but not on a highway. I truly have 0.0 understanding of this kind of action.”