The Dutch police detained hundreds of climate activists on Saturday in The Hague and used two water cannons to disperse a protest that blocked a major highway for hours.

“Approximately 700 activists were arrested after blocking the A12 highway,” stated the Hague police via X, emphasizing that the demonstration, organized by Extinction Rebellion (XR), caused “traffic jams” and delays for “ambulances” and other emergency services.

Most of the detained protesters were released a few hours later near ADO stadium on the outskirts of the city, according to local radio station Omroep West.

The protest followed a series of similar demonstrations last year against government subsidies for fossil fuels provided by the Dutch government.

The police maintained a strong presence, deploying officers on foot, mounted units, and drones for aerial surveillance.

Hundreds of protesters gathered on Saturday afternoon and marched toward the highway, despite police efforts to stop them, carrying banners with slogans such as “We believe in life after oil,” according to a reporter from Agence France-Presse.

The demonstrators defied the city’s and police’s order to remain on an empty lot in the city center.

Two protesters climbed a traffic light on the A12 road to hang and unfurl XR banners.