Police have arrested dozens of activists following an Extinction Rebellion protest that blocked the railway tracks at Utrecht Centraal station. The demonstrators walked onto multiple tracks at around 13:15, and police could only safely intervene once all train traffic had been halted.
All protesters were removed from the tracks within half an hour. They have been taken into custody, though their identities are still being verified.
Blocking railway tracks is a criminal offence. The action had been banned on Friday by Utrecht’s local security committee, which comprises the mayor, police, and the public prosecution service.
Prior to the track blockade, a sit-in was held in the public area of the station, where demonstrating is allowed. Police reported that the situation briefly became tense and a physical altercation occurred. One person was arrested during this incident but was later released.
The demonstration was aimed at current Dutch government policy regarding Israel.
@anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
