Dutch activists from the “Geef Tegengas” collective are continuing their streak blocking the Rotterdam port railway. They claim to have caused three million euros in damages for infrastructure manager ProRail and rail businesses.
Geef Tegengas hopes to draw attention to the transport of polluting goods and human rights violations, the group says. They demand that the Netherlands immediately impose a weapon and trade embargo on Israel. The group also demands an end to imports, exports and transit of materials linked to human rights violations, as well as a national plan to “ban all other polluting rubbish”.
The activists believe that companies in the port benefit from the above. “The only way these companies will change is if we hit them in their wallets. That is why we will keep coming back”, a spokesperson said.
150,000 euros per hour
After five days of consecutive blockades, Geef Tegengas says that it has caused some three million euros in damages. This is based on a figure of 150,000 euros per hour, for which it cites both ProRail and the Dutch rail freight association RailGood.
It is not clear when Geef Tegengas plans to cease their blockades. A local Rotterdam politician said that they might end on 17 May, but the group has not confirmed that to RailFreight.com.