Hundreds of Climate Activists Confront Berlin Streets
A throng of climate crusaders from Last Generation took over Straße des 17. Juni in Berlin on Saturday, assembling between the iconic Victory Column and Brandenburg Gate. According to the police, around 800 demonstrators gathered from midday onward, while Last Generation declared a whopping number of 1400 participants. Rolf Meyer, a Last Generation spokesperson, highlighted the involvement of parents and grandparents, as well as their offspring.
The sight was a blend of seated protesters and enthusiastic foot-standers, alternating with participants from other eco-focused groups displaying impactful placards. Remarkably, no one resorted to sticking themselves to the pavement as the afternoon rolled in, as reported by the on-site representative from Last Generation.
Police presence was commendably low-key, confirming the peaceful nature of the gathering and noting the absence of any standout incidents. By 4:30-5:00 PM, the Last Generation's blockade was slated to conclude. Consequently, the main avenue's access route from Großer Stern toward the Brandenburg Gate was temporarily off-limits to traffic, while alternative routes ensured continuous movement around the traffic circle.
Concurrently, another peace rally was unfurling at the Brandenburg Gate from 1:00 PM, with former Left Party politician Sahra Wagenknecht addressing the crowd.
Last Generation's environmental advocacy faction actively participated in these events, fighting for robust environmental policies. The purpose of the blockade was to underscore the immediate necessity of addressing the climate crisis and protecting our planet.
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Although the primary article does not delve into the Last Generation’s extensive range of actions, their efforts spanned beyond mere sit-ins. They engaged in various non-violent methods of civil disobedience, including attempting to halt oil pipelines' operations, obstructing air traffic at Berlin-Brandenburg Airport, and protesting against high-wealth individuals' environmental impact by defacing private jets and planting flowers on a golf course. These actions met with mixed reactions from authorities, with some passing criminal charges under section 129 of the German Criminal Code but facing international criticism for misusing the law against peaceful activism.
