XR announced this ‘mass action’ today, after the judge overturned the access bans imposed by Schiphol at the end of August. According to the judge, the bans of five or ten years were one too great an infringement on the right to demonstrate.
The action was peaceful. The demonstrators stayed before the security checkpoint and did not buy plane tickets to demonstrate in KLM’s Crown Lounge, as in previous actions.
Annoyance
Still, the action caused annoyance among travelers, who had to make a detour. “I find the scum off the ledge. Other people are all affected by it,” says one woman. “I think it’s a shame, a real shame.” Another traveler calls it ‘hypocritical’: “They’re all flying to Ibiza!”
“They’re in our way, so I have quite a problem with it,” another man responds. When asked how exactly they get in the way, he answers: “Look, we have to take a detour now. And that is one of the many reasons I am tired of them.”
Arrests
XR has not adhered to the restrictions imposed by the mayor of Haarlemmermeer. Demonstrations were only allowed on Jan Dellaertplein, the square in front of the airport entrance. The mayor made that decision because the scope of the action was not clear and XR did not want to reveal anything about it.
The Royal Military Police reports that 76 demonstrators have been arrested and removed from the airport. The activists were asked to leave the departure hall before they were arrested.