Climate Protest at Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam was forced to close its doors “until further notice” on Saturday after a climate protest led by activists from the Extinction Rebellion (XR) group. The protestors targeted the museum over its ties with the Dutch multinational bank ING Group, accusing the bank of financing projects that contribute to climate change.
Protestors Blockade Rijksmuseum Entrance
Dressed in yellow boilersuits and facemasks, Extinction Rebellion activists gathered outside the famous museum, setting off yellow smoke bombs. Several protestors chained themselves to the fence by the museum’s entrance, preventing visitors from entering. The group demanded that the Rijksmuseum cut all financial ties with ING, which serves as the institution’s main sponsor.
ING Accused of Fuelling Climate Crisis
According to XR, ING Group is a significant financier of projects that exacerbate climate change. An XR representative told the Dutch news agency ANP, “It’s incomprehensible that the Rijksmuseum can allow itself to be financed by ING, the largest financial driver of the climate crisis.” The representative added that by accepting sponsorship from ING, the museum was enabling a “major polluter” to “hide its face behind famous works of art from Dutch history.”
Rijksmuseum Closes for Safety
In response to the protest, the Rijksmuseum decided to close its doors to protect visitors, staff, and the artworks within the museum. “Any action that jeopardizes this is unacceptable,” the museum stated in its response to ANP. Although the protest was peaceful, the disruption and blockade left the institution with no choice but to take precautions and suspend operations.
Police Arrest 33 Protestors
Amsterdam police intervened after XR protestors ignored instructions to relocate their demonstration to Museumplein, the city’s largest square. Authorities arrested 33 individuals who had chained themselves to the museum’s fence and moved them to another location. A police spokesperson noted that the protestors were given time to comply with the instructions but ultimately violated the Public Demonstrations Act.
ING Responds to Criticism
In response to XR’s demands, ING urged the activists to engage in direct dialogue with the bank instead of targeting the museum. “We’re always open to dialogue,” the bank said in a statement, indicating their willingness to discuss the issues raised by the climate group.
Rising Trend of Museum Protests
This protest at the Rijksmuseum is part of a broader global trend in which climate activists have targeted cultural institutions for their ties to major polluters. In April 2024, more than 30 activists from XR’s subgroups, Scientists for Extinction Rebellion and Youth Action for Climate Justice, occupied London’s Science Museum to demand the end of its partnership with coal conglomerate Adani.
The increasing frequency of these protests has drawn attention to the ethical questions surrounding corporate sponsorships in cultural institutions and their role in addressing the climate crisis.
Feature Image: Climate activists from Extinction Rebellion protest outside the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam on Saturday.ANP/AFP via Getty Images
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