Climate protest in Europe: Students occupy schools and universities

Berlin: Europe is seeing a widespread, organised protest against governments' inaction regarding climate change. 22 schools and universities in various cities were forced to shut down after students occupied them as part of a proposed month-long campaign.

A statement released by the campaign said: "End Fossil: Occupy! is radicalising the youth climate movement in tactics and demands. Occupations instead of strikes. End the fossil economy instead of ‘listen to science’. End Fossil: Occupy! is reigniting the fire of the youth climate movement last seen in 2019."

Lisbon in Portugal is seeing the most radical protests. Youngsters have occupied seven schools and two universities. One of the schools remained closed for a third day. Students have barricaded themselves at the dean's office at the University of Lisbon. Young campaigners were also seen stopping traffic using street blockades in solidarity with the student movement. They also carried banners saying "End Fossil: Occupy!".

In Germany, universities in Wolfenbüttel, Magdeburg, Münster, Bielefeld, Regensburg, Bremen, and Berlin were occupied by young protestors. In Spain, the Autonomous University of Barcelona was taken by students where they organised educational sessions on the climate crisis. The University of Ghent in Belgium was occupied by 40 students. In the UK, the universities of Leeds, Exeter, and Falmouth were taken by students. In the Czech Republic, around 100 students camped outside the Ministry of Trade and Industry, reported The Guardian.

This is the second wave of occupations as part of the campaign. Between September and December 2022, 50 schools and universities were taken by students. Organisers are hoping to recreate the radicalism of May 1968 when anti-imperialist protests started by university students in Paris led to a revolt across the entire continent after being joined by the working class.