Several farmers who protested yesterday on the A37 near Zwartemeer, according to the police, drove their tractor on the highway in a wrong direction. The demonstrators also created a grim atmosphere and officers are said to feel threatened and intimidated, police said. A number of driver’s licenses have been withdrawn.
On the A37 near Zwartemeer, farmers took action twice yesterday. Because they blocked the road with their tractors, traffic in both directions was blocked. The ME was called and warned to lift the blockade. Finally, the protesters left. A number of them later returned to the A37, but according to the police that did not last ‘very long’.
During the blockade, activists created a grim atmosphere, the police said. That happened when officers wanted to start the conversation. In addition, activists are said to have deflated the tires of a police car.
The riot police intervened in several places in the North. This happened at distribution centers in Sneek and Heerenveen. Protesters have been given the opportunity to leave voluntarily and lift the blockade, police said. Because the activists did not leave, the riot police decided to intervene. Tear gas was eventually used in Heerenveen. A total of seven people were arrested in both protests.
In Drenthe, protest actions were also held at distribution centers in Beilen and Gieten. This came to an end this morning because the farmers left voluntarily.