Schools in Beverwijk & Heemskerk closed over escalating feud between young people
Five secondary schools in Bevewrijk and Heemskerk are closed on Friday due to fear of violence. Groups of young people in the area are clashing with each other, and footage of violence and threats is circulating on social media, causing considerable unrest among students and parents, Noordhollands Dagblad and NH Nieuws reported.
According to NU.nl, the schools involved are the Skills pre-vocational secondary school, Castor College, Dalí College, Forta, and Fourteens.
Among the images shared on social media is a video of a boy being kicked in the head while lying on the floor with his mouth covered and his pants pulled down. According to NH Nieuws, the video is presented as a “victory.” There are also AI videos of explosions at the schools.
Noordhollands Dagblad reported that parents and students were warning each other not to go to school on Friday for fear of shootings. According to NH Nieuws, local sports clubs have urged their youth members not to go out alone in the evening. “As far as we know, members of surrounding clubs have fallen victim. Let’s not become fearful, but rather alert - or more alert - to situations,” football club DEM wrote.
Due to the unrest, the municipalities of Beverwijk and Heemskerk implemented emergency decrees banning gatherings and face-covering clothing. The aim is to prevent possible gun possession and abuse, the municipality of Beverwijk wrote on X. In consultation with the schools and police, the decision was also made to keep the schools closed on Friday as a precaution.
