Dutch police arrested approximately 20 climate activists on Saturday, July 4, 2026, after thwarting an attempted blockade of the A12 highway near Nieuwegein and Houten.
The demonstration was organized by Extinction Rebellion and Utrecht4Palestine.
Utrecht Mayor Sharon Dijksma had banned the highway protest, designating the Domplein as the only lawful location for the demonstration, according to RTV Utrecht.
Law enforcement officers intercepted dozens of activists gathered on the shoulder of the A12 and prevented them from entering the main lanes.
Three vehicles that successfully blocked a parallel road at the Houten exit were seized, and their occupants detained.
A tense situation also developed near a Jumbo distribution center along the N408 provincial road, where local farmers staged a counter-demonstration by positioning six tractors on the median strip.
Extinction Rebellion spokesperson Puk stated during a phone call that the group was being detained despite not entering the highway lanes.
"We were arrested by the police while we did not want to go onto the highway.
And we are now being taken away, probably towards the Domplein, as if we are a bunch of criminals.
While we are on the public road and never had the intention to go onto the highway," said Puk.
The atmosphere grew more confrontational when approximately 20 counter-demonstrators began marching toward the remaining climate activists.
"A large group of farmers is now walking this way," said Puk.
Police subsequently cleared the provincial road and transported the climate activists away in arrest buses. Some individuals forced officers to carry them by going limp.
Activists removed from the highway shoulder gathered in an adjacent field surrounded by police, where they sang demonstration songs.
An activist named Nienke joined the protest to demand an immediate end to government fossil fuel subsidies and to protest the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
"I am participating because there must be an end to subsidizing fossil fuels. We have seen recently how the climate is changing, we have finally experienced it firsthand.
And still… Tata Steel, the most polluting companies, Shell: our government gives them tax advantages, and we call those fossil subsidies.
And besides that, we are also standing here against the genocide in Gaza," said Nienke.
The failed demonstration follows a previous Extinction Rebellion blockade on April 25 near De Meern, which resulted in 400 arrests and the suspension of driver's licenses for six activists.
