Dutch authorities arrest protesters after climate activists block a road near The Hague

Hundreds of climate activists blocked one of the main roads into The Hague on Saturday, defying previous attempts to prevent their demonstration.

Many protesters waved flags colored with the symbol of the environmental group Extinction Rebellion. And one protester held a sign saying, in Dutch, “This is a dead end road”.

The group gathered on the A12 road near the temporary seat of the Dutch parliament.

About an hour after the blockade began, officers began arresting protesters who refused to leave the road.

Earlier this week, authorities arrested six Extinction Rebellion activists on suspicion of sedition linked to calls to stage the protest.

A judge on Friday upheld an order barring another activist from the area for 90 days.

The arrests and banning order have sparked unrest among activists who say it undermines their right to peaceful protest.