In a bizarre act of civil disobedience, climate activists known as the Last Generation, caused widespread disruption in Germany on Thursday, blocking aircraft operations at two airports. Utilizing an extreme protest tactic, the activists glued themselves to the runways, resulting in significant delays and multiple flight cancelations.
German Transport Minister Volker Wissing responded to these actions sternly, stating, “The Last Generation isn’t protecting the climate, they’re engaged in criminal activity.”
The Last Generation, orchestrators of these protests, demanded stringent governmental actions to curtail greenhouse gas emissions. They especially called for immediate measures in the transportation sector, criticizing officials for a perceived absence of an effective strategy to combat the climate crisis.
Adding to the chaos, the group shifted their focus to Munich on Friday, further disrupting traffic. A Reuters report highlighted the extent of the disruption, with one activist cementing himself to the street, while others adhered themselves using similar methods employed during Thursday’s airport interruptions.
This event echoed an earlier protest in April, where the group resorted to similar tactics in Berlin, obstructing traffic routes towards the Alps and upsetting holiday plans of residents and travelers.
Following the airport protests, the group released a statement, “Instead of presenting a concrete plan to prevent this and to reach the emissions-reduction target called for by law, the Transport Ministry is relying on ‘technological flexibility.'”
Federal police confirmed that nine unauthorized individuals gained access to the Hamburg Airport airfield around 6 a.m., with eight effectively gluing themselves to the tarmac.
In Düsseldorf, seven protesters managed to breach the airfield security, all successfully adhering themselves to the runway.
According to the German outlet DW, the disruption in Hamburg resulted in 46 flights being delayed, canceled, or diverted on the first day of school summer vacations.
Authorities plan to charge the protesters with disturbing the peace, coercive behavior, and dangerous interference with aviation, a significant violation of public order and security.
Minister Wissing, along with Justice Minister Marco Buschmann, accused the protesters of causing societal division by “ruining the well-earned and long-looked-forward-to annual vacations of others.”
Wissing has previously vetoed several proposals aimed at reducing emissions from air and road travel, as reported by The Associated Press.
While Last Generation purports its protests as peaceful, albeit disruptive, there have been instances where motorists, affected by the group’s roadblocks, have retaliated against the activists.
The severity of these disruptions led to German prosecutors raiding several homes of the group’s members in May, suspecting the formation or support of a criminal organization.
Protests such as these are always a marvel. What on earth makes these people think their they will be taken seriously or their agenda will be affected by these self-absorbed, drama induced antics?
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