Germany accuses climate activists of 580 crimes – 06/11/2023 – Environment

The German government has recorded 580 crimes committed by the climate activism group Letzte Generation (Last Generation), which has sought to draw attention to the issue through controversial protest methods — such as sticking to asphalt or street cement using instant glue.

Most recorded offenses involve coercion and damage to property. Since the beginning of 2022, “740 individuals have come to the attention of the police”, said the Minister of the Interior of Germany, Nancy Faeser, in this Sunday’s edition (11) of the weekly Bild am Sonntag. She defended police intervention, stressing that activists are not above the law and cannot “violate the rights of others”.

Letzte Generation members counter that their own rights are being violated by companies, authorities and individuals who fail to take necessary steps to protect the environment, thus increasing the likelihood of future catastrophic effects of climate change.

According to Faeser, however, the group’s methods “do not help climate protection at all”, on the contrary: the activists are causing “massive damage” to their own ability to be accepted or to raise public awareness.

Last Generation, criminal enterprise?

As the last human generation before climate change reaches the point of no return, Letzte Generation urges Berlin to act faster and formulate a plan to meet the international target of limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-war levels. industrial.

He has made headlines, for example, with roadblocks, where participants glued their hands to the streets, or by throwing soup and paint on famous paintings – although without causing direct damage, as the works of art are protected by glass or plastic. .

On Thursday, one of its members was fined 400 euros (R$ 2,100) for damage to property in the context of a demonstration at the Auditorium Maximum (Audimax) of the University of Hamburg. The day before, on the island of Sylt in the North Sea, its demonstrators completely covered a private jet of orange paint.

In May, German police raided several sites linked to the environmental group, on suspicion of helping finance a criminal enterprise.