Police authorities in Netherlands arrests over 1,500 climate activist

Police authorities in the Netherlands on Saturday arrested no fewer than 1,500 climate activist, BBC reports

The arrest the police say was part of measures taken to clear A12 highway in The Hague blocked by protesters.

Protesting on A12 road has been banned under rules brought in by the mayor.

The Extinction Rebellion, a global environmental movement is protesting subsidies for fossil fuel. The group is demanding an end to the subsidies. They accused the police of using water cannon 15 minutes into the start of the blockade. The police, however, denied the allegation saying they had urged the activists to leave and gave the chance to do so but their refusal forced the authorities to resort to using water cannon. They said the 1,579 people who refused to leave were then arrested

The protesters had resisted attempts by police to disperse them using water cannons as they came prepared with raincoats and swimsuits.

A local news site, De Telegraaf reported that many of those arrested were lifted up and carried onto buses.

According to the Dutch prosecution many of those arrested will not be prosecuted because their offenses are considered minor and the aim of the operation was to clear the blockade. However, with be charged for other criminal offenses such as vandalism and resisting arrest resulting in injury.

Dutch news agency ANP reported that actress Carice van Houten, known for playing Melisandre in TV series Game of Thrones was among the many Dutch celebrities that joined the protest. According to ANP, she was also arrested and was later released.

Extinction Rebellion said at least 6,000 people demonstrated on the A12 or next to it – including the “A12 orchestra” of more than 80 musicians.

It is the seventh time Extinction Rebellion protesters have blocked the A12.