About 20 activists arrested after roughly two-hour Utrecht Centraal track occupation
Police arrested about 20 Extinction Rebellion (XR) activists after they briefly occupied the tracks at Utrecht Centraal station. The action halted all train traffic for roughly two hours, with the services resuming shortly after 3 p.m., RTV Utrecht reports.
The protest took place despite a ban issued the previous day by the local “triad” of the mayor, police, and the public prosecutor. Large numbers of police officers, including riot police, were deployed.
Authorities have not yet responded to questions from the press about how the activists managed to access the railway despite the heavy police presence.
NS and ProRail said the railway is not a place for demonstrations. State Secretary for Infrastructure and Water Management Annet Bertram also condemned the action, calling the track blockade “very serious” and urging organizations to stop such activities. She said, "The railway is prohibited, and you endanger yourself and others. Demonstration is a fundamental right, but the railway is not the place for it.”
XR also issued an open letter to NS and ProRail employees, calling on staff to stop work between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. in support of the protest. The group hoped train operators and conductors would join a strike, which would have halted services entirely. According to XR, the railway staff did not answer.
The protest was organized to draw attention to the situation in Gaza. The activists also continue to demand that the government, led by Prime Minister Jetten, immediately impose sanctions against Israel.
