Extinction Rebellion threat closes Rijksmuseum on Museum Night

Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum has said it will remain closed during the Dutch capital’s museum night, because of a threat by environmental activists from the Extinction Rebellion movement.

Some 70 museums and galleries are open for a wide range of events during the annual evening opening, which takes place on November 2.

The Rijksmuseum said the XR action was a “threat” and that is why it is keeping its doors shut. The move is to ensure the safety of its art, its workers and the general public, the museum said.

XR said on Wednesday that it would be involved in a “disruptive” action at the museum. The campaign group wants the museum, home of Rembrandt’s Night Watch and numerous other masterpieces, to break its ties with sponsor ING, accusing the financial services group of “artwashing”.

In September, XR activists staged a protest outside the museum by chaining themselves across the gates at the pedestrian and cycle entrances to the museum underpass, where the main way into the museum is located.

ER has taken action against ING several times, including blockades of the Amsterdam ring road next to its former headquarters.

The group says that ING is jointly responsible for the major floods around the world this summer, because of its continued financing of the fossil fuel industry.

The campaign group estimates ING’s sponsorship to be some €700,000 a year, or less than 0.6% of the museum’s income.