Mayor intervenes as climate protesters disrupt Tata Steel operations in IJmuiden
Nine climate activists from Extinction Rebellion/Stop Coal forced Tata Steel to halt operations at its IJmuiden site, climbing cranes and ignoring safety warnings. The mayor ended the unannounced protest to protect public safety, highlighting tensions between environmental activism and industrial security.
| Key Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | March 17, 2026 |
| Location | Tata Steel IJmuiden site, Velsen, Noord-Holland |
| Protest Group | Extinction Rebellion/Stop Coal |
| Number of Demonstrators | 9 |
| Time of Incident | 11:20 a.m. – 5:37 p.m. |
| Actions Taken | Demonstrators climbed cranes (20m height), forced shutdown of operations |
| Mayor’s Decision | Ended protest under Article 8 of the Public Manifestations Act |
| Outcome | Demonstrators left calmly; no injuries reported |
The mayor of Velsen is responsible for maintaining public order and safety during demonstrations, including unannounced protests. The municipality collaborates with police and the Public Prosecution Service to enforce policy guidelines and ensure protests remain within legal and safety boundaries.
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Mayor's statement on demonstration at Tata Steel site
On March 17, 2026, a demonstration by Extinction Rebellion/Stop Coal took place at the Tata Steel IJmuiden site. During the protest, demonstrators initially gathered near a crane on the Tata Steel site. In this mayor's statement, I explain how the demonstration unfolded and what powers I deployed in response.
Background
In recent years, multiple parties have demonstrated at and around the Tata Steel site against the use of coal in steel production and its impact on climate and health. These included both announced and spontaneous actions requiring the involvement of security partners. Today's demonstration by Extinction Rebellion/Stop Coal was not announced in advance. In previous demonstrations, the tripartite authority (municipality, police, and Public Prosecution Service) established policy guidelines and tolerance limits. This allows the mayor to respond quickly and act consistently even in the case of unannounced demonstrations.
Course of the demonstration
Around 11:20 a.m., nine demonstrators climbed over the fence onto Tata Steel's private property via the dunes. They then walked to sea vessels being unloaded at Buitenkade 2. They sat down next to a crane, forcing Tata Steel employees to shut it down to prevent risks. Tata Steel's security had already warned the demonstrators that they were on prohibited and dangerous terrain. They twice ordered the demonstrators to leave, but their instructions were ignored. The demonstrators stated they intended to disrupt operations at the Tata Steel site and prevent ships from being unloaded.
Around 4:40 p.m., Tata Steel's security reported that the group had climbed into a crane. Police officers arrived on the scene. The demonstrators refused to leave the crane. Information indicated they were positioned above the conveyor belts at a height of approximately 20 meters. This was life-threatening—not only due to the height and risk of crushing but also because the cranes were under high voltage. As a result, it was decided to cut the power to the cranes. However, this immediately raised concerns that, in the event of an emergency on the nearby ship, no one could be evacuated using a rescue stretcher.
At 5:37 p.m., I decided to end the demonstration to protect public health (Article 8 of the Public Manifestations Act). I instructed the demonstrators to cease the protest immediately and comply with police instructions. The police ordered the demonstrators to disperse and leave the site. The demonstrators complied and left the area calmly.
Outcome
Demonstrating is a fundamental right. Our primary principles are that demonstrations in the municipality of Velsen should be possible by default and that everyone should be able to return home safely at the end of the day. Today, demonstrators exercised their right to protest, and everyone was able to leave unharmed.
The Mayor of the Municipality of Velsen