The police recently arrested six members of climate group Extinction Rebellion before they started demonstrating. Is that unfair? No, say most participants in today’s statement.
Three-quarters of the participants disagree with the statement: Climate protesters are being dealt with too harshly. The Netherlands Institute for Human Rights is concerned about this approach. Most readers are annoyed by the hypocrisy of people who demonstrate for better climate policy.
This is how they explain:
,, They are so hypocritical and so anti oil and meat industry, but let their vegan food come from the other side of the world by boat, plane and truck, because it’s so much healthier. They are climate terrorists.”
Or
“They need to be dealt with even harder these bunch of rioters.”
Or
“They glue themselves and refuse to leave, and refuse to cooperate with the police. Unlike the farmers, who do cooperate with the police.”
Agree voters
Those who agree with the statement believe that double standards are used. Especially when compared to the farmers’ protests and the crackdown on football hooligans.
“Football violence, peasant violence, etc. Does not yield a dozen arrests. Climate protesters sitting peacefully on a highway result in hindered arrests.”
Or
“They are not treated equally with those involved in the farmers’ protests.”
Or
“Climate protesters are easy prey for the police, they don’t come on tractors.”