Nearly 150 activists from the environmental group Extinction Rebellion (XR) blocked the city ring road in Ghent on Saturday. The Ghent police are present to divert traffic.
With the protest, the environmental group reiterates its key demand: an end to all fossil subsidies. Police reported that 14 protestors were arrested during the action.
Around noon, the protesters of Extinction Rebellion Ghent gathered in the Citadelpark to then marched to block the R40, Ghent’s ring road. The so-called ‘picnic blockade’ is not the environmental movement’s first protest of this type – it is the fourth time they have blocked the Ghent ring road.
XR are urging the government and the city council to stop giving subsidies to fossil industries. “Every year, at least 13 billion euros of our tax money goes to the most polluting and profitable companies,” says protester Annelies. She raises the alarm and looks to politicians. “Do something. Abolish those subsidies and give the money to childcare, public transport, housing, …”
About 150 people were present at the protest Saturday afternoon. This was confirmed by the Ghent police who were present to divert traffic. Other organisations such as Greenpeace, Scientist Rebellion and Grandparents for Climate are also involved in the protest.
The environmental movement is also protesting in the Netherlands. Since 9 September, Extinction Rebellion has been campaigning daily in The Hague, where protestors are blocking the A12 motorway. The action group wants to continue until the government stops supporting the fossil industry.
