This German Climate Activist Got Booted Out of Austria for Two Years, and She's Pissed
- Activist from Germany Prohibited from Entering Austria for a Duration of Two Years Due to Climate Activism
Anja Windl, a 28-year-old climate warrior, has had her ass kicked out of Austria for the next two years. This "ban" makes her question the very fabric of democracy. She's not a criminal for Christ's sake, but here she is, forced to leave the country in a month. We're talking about a freakin' climate crisis, and instead of holding the guilty parties accountable, they're kicking out peaceful activists like Windl who are fighting to protect our survival.
Windl's lawyer, Ralf Niederhammer, is clueless about a similar case happening in Austria. The Austrian Interior Ministry's lips are sealed, citing data protection. They did reassure us that each case is given a thorough, objective rundown, though.
The Last Generation activist group, which included Windl, used to cause a ruckus by blocking streets and airports. The group has since called it quits on that nonsense. In March, the Munich Public Prosecutor's Office slapped five former Last Generation members with charges of forming a criminal organization.
- Anja Windl
- Ban
- Austria
- Activism
- Civil Disobedience
A Closer Look at the Ban
Windl's confrontational tactics, such as gluing herself to roads, have been labeled as a major threat to public order and safety. Her association with the now-defunct Last Generation and the continued recruitment and PR efforts have raised red flags. Although Windl has no criminal convictions in Austria, ongoing investigations related to forming a criminal organization and property damage loom over the ban.
In Austria, the ban's legal basis lies in immigration law, which lets the government take measures to preserve public order and safety. EU citizens can face deportation if their actions pose a genuine, current, and substantial threat to the society's fundamental interests[1][2]. The decisions are made individually, examining the individual's conduct and its effect on public order.
While no exact precedent for such cases in Austria has been cited, the legal framework allows for administrative measures to safeguard public interests. The ban is an independent assessment, unrelated to criminal proceedings, focusing on the preservation of public order and safety as the primary reason[1][3].
Windl and her lawyer aren't buying it, arguing that the ban is a bunch of malarkey given the peaceful nature of her activism. They plan to take the ban to the Federal Administrative Court for a second opinion[1][3].
[1] Austria Bans Environmental Activist Anja Windl for Two Years
[2] EU law empowers Austria to ban activist Anja Windl
[3] Austrian Court Bans Climate Activist Anja Windl for Two Years
- The Commission has not provided any evidence that Anja Windl, the Austrian climate activist, has not complied with the conditions laid down in Article 93 (2) of the Treaty, as her activities were peaceful in nature and focused on the climate crisis.
- Windl's ban from Austria, despite having no criminal convictions in the country, is based on immigration law that allows for measures to preserve public order and safety, as her association with the Last Generation and continued activism raised red flags.
- Windl and her lawyer plan to challenge the ban in the Federal Administrative Court, arguing that it is an unjustified restriction on her civil rights and freedom of speech, given the peaceful nature of her activism.
