Extinction Rebellion (XR) continues, despite the ‘urgent call’ from mayor Femke Halsema to cancel the demonstration next Saturday, but still take the A10. This became clear tonight during a briefing of the A10 blockade. On December 30 the action group blocked the highway for the first time.
The message from Extinction Rebellion is clear: they will take to the A10 next Saturday at 12 noon and will not just leave there. “Our demand: we stay until ING stops using fossil fuels,” was said during the briefing tonight.
Extinction Rebellion wants ING Bank to stop financing companies that have something to do with the fossil industry. The action group is aware that they probably still have a long way to go before their goal is achieved. “It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon.”
Letter
The letter that Halsema sent to the action group today and is in the possession of AT5 was briefly mentioned this evening. “We have shared this with you. There is a good chance that the municipality will not allow this and will send the police to us and we will be requisitioned and arrested,” the Extinction Rebellion organization said. “Bring enough food and drinks and keep in mind that it may get late.”
Last February it became clear that activists who violated the law were forced to do so more quickly tougher police action could expect, for example, an immediate fine. The police and the Public Prosecution Service (OM) announced this in a joint statement.
Extinction Rebellion is aware of this possibility and announced tonight: “If you are fined, do not pay on the spot. If possible, film what happens and what the police say, that is important for the lawyer to help. Go do not pay at that time and do not give in to police pressure.”
‘Unacceptable risk’
By blocking the A10, Extinction Rebellion took an ‘unacceptable risk’ in December, according to Halsema. “In the opinion of the triangle, this does not demonstrate sufficient awareness of the risks associated with a demonstration.”
According to Halsema, Extinction Rebellion has indicated that this time they are preparing their participants for those risks. “But you cannot specify how you will provide this safely, and mainly indicate that you assume that the triangle will facilitate your demonstration and take measures.”
The mayor stated in the letter that Extinction Rebellion would assume that the road would be closed in advance on Saturday. From an email that the action group sent to the triangle, the mayor concludes that they do not want to use an alternative location. “The triangle regrets this attitude,” said Halsema.
For the first blockade on the A10, the police eventually arrested 400 demonstrators. Almost all of them were released shortly afterwards without a fine or identity check. The seven demonstrators who remained detained longer were also eventually released not prosecuted.