Extinction Rebellion activists disrupt Dutch Rijksmuseum

Extinction Rebellion activists staged a protest outside the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam on Saturday, forcing the temporary closure of the renowned museum.

The activists, who chained themselves to the entrance tunnel, unfurled banners criticizing the museum's sponsorship deal with ING, which they accuse of being a major contributor to the climate crisis.

The museum, which typically opens at 09:00, remained closed until after 14:00 due to the protest.

Activists displayed messages such as "No art on a dead planet" and urged the museum to end its partnership with ING.

The protest led to the arrest of 33 activists. XR argues that ING, which funds fossil fuel projects, is contributing to global climate disasters and that the museum's acceptance of ING's sponsorship allows the bank to use the museum's prestige to obscure its environmental impact.

Josefien van Marlen, a spokesperson for XR, criticized the museum for enabling ING to "hide its dirty face behind famous works of art," calling for an end to the sponsorship.

While ING’s annual contribution to the Rijksmuseum is estimated at €700,000—less than 0.6% of the museum’s total income—XR maintains that this support is significant. The Rijksmuseum, known for masterpieces like Rembrandt's "Night Watch," is the most-visited museum in the Netherlands, drawing thousands of visitors daily.

In response, the Rijksmuseum emphasized that visitor and staff safety is their top priority and deemed the disruptive action unacceptable.

ING Bank dismissed the protest, suggesting that concerns should be directed to the bank itself and expressing openness to dialogue.

Dutch police intervened by breaking the chains and arresting 33 protesters after they refused to relocate their demonstration.

The protest has sparked debate over the role of corporate sponsorship in cultural institutions and its impact on climate issues.