Climate activists block access to multiple Amsterdam secondary schools

Climate activists from Extinction Rebellion blocked access to multiple secondary schools in Amsterdam overnight. They glued locks closed or secured fences with chains.

Extinction Rebellion says it blocked access to 35 schools within the A10 ring road. The police told NOS that they have received reports from 11 schools. The police are investigating and also talking to the schools about pressing vandalism charges. Two schools - the Vierde Gymnasium and the Fons Vitae Lyceum - told ANP that they intend to do so.

Sweelinck College told NOS that the climate activists blocked its back access with a bicycle lock and glued the locks at the front of the building. Students had to wait outside until an angle grinder could be tracked down.

Extinction Rebellion said it was trying to draw attention to climate change with the action. “We left a message at every school: Give our teenagers reason to go to school!” the group wrote on Instagram. “Education is crucial for a child's future. Sadly, hundreds of millions of children miss school due to extreme weather caused by the climate crisis. Our government should be doing everything it can to prevent this, but it's not doing so.”