Amsterdam Climate March Draws 40,000 Protesters Against Weak Government Plans

Tens of thousands of people gathered in Amsterdam on Saturday for a climate march, with organizers reporting over 40,000 participants protesting the government's weak climate plans. The demonstration follows a summer of record heat, with signs reflecting urgency about the climate crisis. Protesters carried banners addressing recent heat records, including one from Greenpeace reading "This was the coldest summer of the rest of your life." The 2.5-kilometer route ran from Dam Square to Museumplein, with flags from Extinction Rebellion and Palestinian flags visible. Some demonstrators protested data centers, with signs saying "Water is for the fish, not for data centers." The march was organized by the Climate Crisis Coalition, and several parliament members attended. D66 minister Stientje van Veldhoven defended her "acceleration" efforts, while critics like PRO's Sjoukje van Oosterhout said the cabinet missed the moment to take extra steps against heat. In 2023, a similar march drew a record 85,000 participants.