Police began removing demonstrators from the A10 ring road on the south side of Amsterdam shortly after 3.30 pm on Saturday where they had been blocking the road in protest at ING’s continued investment in fossil fuels.

The protestors refused to obey instructions to leave the road and some three hours after the demonstration started, police moved in to clear the area. Demonstrators who did not leave of their own accord were arrested and placed in police vans.

Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema had banned the demonstration from taking place, saying it would be both dangerous and irresponsible to close off the road. The protestors crossed on to the highway next to the former ING offices, where the A4 meets the A10 and the speed limit is 100 kph.

Traffic is being diverted via the A9 and some public transport services have also been shifted. The blockade is taking place next to the slip road to the VU university hospital.

The priority is “public safety and allowing the emergency services through without hindrance,” the city council said in a statement.

ING said earlier this month it plans to phase out the financing of upstream oil and gas activities by 2040 and triple new financing for renewable energy by 2025.

Police have not yet said how many people have been arrested.

More to follow