More than 500 climate activists arrested during A12 blockade in The Hague

Police arrested more than 500 people Saturday afternoon during a large-scale protest by Extinction Rebellion on the A12 highway near the Ministry of Economic Affairs in The Hague, as reported by NOS. The demonstration halted traffic for hours and drew a strong police response. Police described the protest as “a disruptive blockade.”

Around midday, the protesters surged into the sunken section of the A12, directly in front of the ministry building. As a result, police shut down the highway, and the disruption brought traffic around The Hague to a standstill, according to the ANWB. The road was cleared by 4:30 p.m.

Authorities confirmed that 13 individuals were arrested for criminal offenses, including obstructing traffic, resisting arrest, and interfering with police operations. Another 27 activists were detained and questioned at the station for being among the first to block the road. The remainder of the demonstrators were taken into custody and released shortly afterward. The Public Prosecution Service will decide whether to prosecute the individuals involved.

During the demonstration, tensions escalated when the driver of a delivery van drove through the crowd. According to Omroep West, the incident occurred after protesters allegedly scratched the vehicle and tried to open one of its doors. Video footage showed the driver accelerating into the crowd and making contact with some of the demonstrators. No injuries were reported, and no one has been arrested in connection with the incident.

Extinction Rebellion chose the location near the Ministry of Economic Affairs for the same reason as in previous demonstrations: to demand stronger government action on climate change. “The longer we wait, the more complex the recovery from the damage becomes,” the group stated.