Thirty arrests made after student activists occupy university building in Amsterdam

The University Rebellion student activists were determined to get their message across about climate change.

Dozens of students entered the Binnengasthuis of the University of Amsterdam, protesting for the institution to cut ties with oil giant Shell and other companies in the fossil fuel industry, reports the NOS

From peaceful protests to many arrests

The students from the University of Amsterdam started their protests peacefully, marching from the Roeterseiland campus to the Amsterdam Academische Club, near Oudemanhuispoort. 

However, their protests took a turn when the students decided to occupy the Binnengasthuis and blocked police trucks from entering the property. 

READ MORE | How do the Dutch feel about climate change? 

Earlier in the day, the university stated that it does not promote the use of fossil fuels. Ten Dam, president of the Executive Board, tells the NOS that he was not against the protesting, “but don’t occupy.” 

The arrests

At around 8:30 PM, the evacuation of the building started by order of the Police Prosecution Service. 

The process was repeated until all students were removed from the building, some walking peacefully and smiling, while others took a more aggressive way by yelling and kicking, refusing to walk. 

The police arrested thirty people by the end of the night. And, the university has since then filed a report.

What do you think about this situation? Tell us in the comments below!

Feature Image:Depositphotos
Francesca Burbano
Francesca Burbanohttps://burbanofrancesca.journoportfolio.com
Francesca is an international at heart but moved to the Netherlands to get her degree in media and communication. While she's not a big fan of the cold weather and biking (for good reason — she's been hit by bikes three times already), she fell in love with the canals, bitterballen, and the 'gezelligheid' of Dutch culture. When she's not writing, you'll find her reading thriller books, hitting her personal records at the gym, and cuddling up with her Ragdoll cat.

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