High school students shake up politics
An estimated 15 thousand students demonstrated today at the Malieveld in The Hague. They are concerned about the climate and want to shake up politics. "This is about our life and the future."
Image: Angeliek de Jonge
“Holy shit, there are a lot of them”, a student says to her group of classmates while standing on a bench at the edge of the Malieveld and gazing at the crowd. They themselves are impressed. About 15 thousand students responded to the call of Youth for Climate NL, set up by students from the Dalton School in The Hague, to skip school today for a better and stricter climate policy and to join a march through the city.
Serious
“This campaign was promoted via Instagram,” says Helena Oey (17) of the Hyperion Lyceum in Amsterdam. “I myself posted a message in the school app a few times with our year group that everyone had to come.” Oey knows well why she is standing on the lawn in The Hague. “The climate is going seriously in the wrong direction. The government must tackle flying, there must be less asphalt and the train connections in Europe must be better.” The group of classmates nodded in agreement. The whole group misses their classes today. “But, I have let the mentor know, and he is okay with it.”
The climate is going seriously wrong
On the field in The Hague, teachers Rudolf Tenzer and Hans Broere from the Haags Montessori Lyceum stand among the students. Tenzer: “In my economics class this morning there were three students. The others are here on the field.” Broere: “Our school pays a lot of attention to well-being and we have projects about sustainability. We are here out of curiosity and solidarity. Young people are standing up now. That is hopeful.”
Imitation
The Dutch youngsters today followed the example of the Belgian schoolchildren en masse. They have taken to the streets several times to protest because they are very concerned about the climate. It Instagram account of the Dutch branch, Youth for Climate NL, quickly reached more than 12 thousand followers. Their demands? The climate agreement must be 'more efficient, watertight and better. Polluters must pay and the energy transition must accelerate.'
If the politicians and Rutte look out the window now, they will see us
“If the politicians and Rutte now look out the window, they will see us”, says Mila (14) as she walks in the long string from Malieveld along Hofvijver in the climate march. She and her brother are holding a banner on which: 'YOLO' stands. The O's have been replaced by globes. “I really hope they think more about the environment and the climate. Otherwise I am really afraid of more natural disasters.” During the march through The Hague, the students shout and point out the banners and cardboard signs to motorists who have to stop because of the police officers. Men in suits look out from the stately buildings of The Hague and some spectators applaud.
Support
Not only spectators support the students. This morning 350 scientists sent an open letter in which they stated that the young people are quite right that they are concerned about the climate. Education minister Arie Slob said earlier that students are allowed to take action, but not during school hours. He pointed out to the young people the Compulsory Education Act.
'A letter from my parents with signature was needed. Our social studies teacher was in favor of this action. We do have to catch up on tests and homework'
Many students played truant anyway and should actually take Dutch, English or maths lessons. Yet they indicate that their school is flexible. For example, Thomas Overgaag (13) says: “My school sent an email to parents for permission. My parents gave permission. So I won't be punished." Isabel Würdemann (15) of the Hoogland College in Amersfoort has to make a report and a photo. “A letter from my parents with signature was also needed. Our social studies teacher was in favor of this action. We do have to catch up on tests and homework.” Nora Straub (16) of the First Christian Lyceum in Haarlem already knows that she will receive 'an appropriate punishment' from the school. “I'm talking about it. We want to wake up the government. They need to do something now, not in thirty years.”
The entire procession of students moves through the city. Loud cheers in between and lots of banners in the air. For example, a girl is holding a sign that says: 'Warm ur macaroni, not my earth.' Hylke Bieteler and Ype Zaal (both 16) have a Frisian banner and come from Dokkum to show the seriousness from the north. Their train ticket was more than forty euros, but they still run. Ype: "We live close to the coast, the sea level is rising and then we are the first to turn."
Calls
It takes a long time before the entire procession is back on the Malieveld. Meanwhile, the students who are already there start to dance to the music of the DJ. Romy van der Wansem (16) who is on stage and is one of the organizers of the Dalton School in The Hague says: “We wanted to impress for the climate. I am very happy, because I did not expect there would be so many young people. Politics must have noticed this. And if they don't do anything, we'll just call everyone to come again next week. ”
