School in Umeå called down on charges of climate strike

In recent days, the school has had several angry conversations.

- There are many very unpleasant people who want to throw both management and staff at the school. It is because of the post from Anders Ågren, which has spread in social media, says Rector Patrik Sandström.

It all started last Friday when the school was accused by Umeå's one municipal council Anders Ågren (M) for forcing students on strike against the climate during school hours. According to the Rector, there was no coercion, nor was it a strike, but a manifestation.

But the accusations were spread by Ågren and the Moderates in Umeå via Facebook and on the county party's own news site, News in Västerbotten.

It has since been picked up, among others by the Russian propaganda channel RT (formerly Russia Today), as Sweden's radio has told us. The channel has previously black-painted the image of Sweden. Now the picture is painted by a Swedish school that forces its students on strike for the climate - against their will.

- My yesterday was not fun with all the right-wing media that heard. It will be unpleasant, says Principal Patrik Sandström at Västangård's school.

Anders Ågren believes that he and the party cannot control who intercept what in social media.

- It is clear that we do not want to be involved with Russia Today or the like. At the same time, we cannot influence what the media writes, says Ågren.

His criticism of the school persists despite the alleged strike being a manifestation.

- We are not looking to point out one or the other school. This is the principle discussion we want to focus on. It is not right for whatever reason to have manifestations with compulsory attendance during school hours.

Would it have been more ok if it had happened outside of school?

- Yes, that's the main part. If you had done this in your spare time, we would not have had any criticism at all, provided it was voluntary, says Anders Ågren.

Does the school say that there was no coercion? Where does that task come from?

- I myself have talked to parents who stated it and to Nyheter in Västerbotten the rector previously confirmed that it was a compulsory attendance, says Anders Ågren (M).

According to Principal Patrik Sandström, the school management has not received information that students felt compelled to participate in the manifestation.

- No caretaker has heard from her so far. If, as a custodian, you have children who have expressed concern about coercion, or that they feel unsafe, they should first contact the class teachers and in the second place the principal, he says.