this post was submitted on 10 Sep 2023
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Be aware that street blockade are not, as a rule, categorically excluded as a valid way of protesting and that this stretch to road is not in fact a highway - a sign says a much and the speed limit is 50km/h. There are traffic lights at both ends and detours are just a few 100 meters.
Furthermore the public prosecutor doesn’t charge the protestors because judges have ruled repeatedly that these are peaceful and orderly protests and hence people are acquitted or not sentenced.
Dutchie here, It's the A12. It is an highway. A very important one even.
I've never seen a traffic light on the a12, except where it becomes an N road. Do you have a pin where I can see this location of yours?
I think this (blocking a highway) is stupid and very dangerous. It will end badly. It has nothing to do with the right to protest. They are creating a dangerous situation and put other people's safety at risk. Protest at a city center. Blockade an airport entrance. But don't jump into traffic to make a point.
Furthermore the past few times they did this enough people where convicted and got 60 hours of social work/jail time. This time there where a lot of underage people and I think that is an important factor of the"no prosecutions" thing.
This is the tunnelbak where the main protests are. The speed limit is actually 70 km/h as shown by the sign visible in the street view. It is about 500 meters from where the A12 ends at the corner of the Malieveld.
I think it is unfair to describe "holding a pre-announced protest" as "jumping into traffic". I imagine they take care to do it safely.
I think it should also be noted that the road is located directly between parliament and the ministry of economic affairs and climate.
Thanks for correcting on the 70/h bit, wasn’t aware.
Location is Utrechtsebaan right between Parliament and the Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate.
People don’t just jump in traffic. The municipality makes sure traffic is diverted, just like other protests or events.
No people were charged for the protest itself (art 11 WOM). The community service convictions were for incitement. A small handful of people get charged with vandalism (usually placing stickers or such), resisting arrest, etc.
The prosecution office has a FAQ on why people aren’t getting charged for the blockade itself, it explains that judges won’t convict (as I mentioned): https://www.om.nl/actueel/nieuws/2023/05/28/waarom-de-meeste-a12-activisten-niet-worden-vervolgd
And of course it has to do with the right to protest. It is a protest. The mass arrests are under protest law, not criminal law. The prosecutor doesn’t charge because it’s a peaceful protest.
From your description I wonder if your conception of the protest matches what’s happening there - that notion of jumping into traffic on an actual highway. That’s not what’s happening now.
From my understanding, your transportation infrastructure is world class. There is a reason the Not Just Bikes guy uses it to show transportation done right.
I think they are barking up the wrong tree doing this in the Netherlands. As far as blocking traffic to protest cars, take a page out of the CIA sabotage manual. Perhaps hand out leaflets near the entrances and drive in a legal manner that causes traffic jams around where transportation planners work. Driving under the speed limit, waiting when lights turn, etc. There is no crime committed, but it has the same effect and targets those with the power to make changes.