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The last generation is causing displeasure in Germany and around the world with illegal protests.
They throw soup or mashed potatoes at paintings, paralyze Berlin Airport or stick themselves to streets and buildings: the German organization Last Generation has been making headlines almost every day for months – in the name of the climate.
The climate chaos in Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie only struck on Wednesday. According to their own statements, activists from the climate protest group stuck themselves to the conductor’s podium during a concert. However, those responsible for the concert hall made short work of it: since the safety bar on the conductor’s desk was not screwed on, they were able to immediately lead the activists and the bar out of the hall.
Even at the airport: “Last generation” sticks to the runway(02:58)
Not only the multitude of illegal (and dangerous) actions sets the last generation apart from other protest movements like Fridays For Future or the Swiss Renovate Switzerland. In contrast to the organizations just mentioned, the German chaotic people have no face – like Greta Thunberg (19) or Luisa Neubauer (26) -, no central linchpin. Until now, as “Focus” writes.
Mathematics professor provides legal assistance
In the imprint of the last generation, Ingo Blechschmidt (32) is listed as the owner of the website. The mathematics lecturer from Augsburg has been the best-known face of the regional climate scene since the summer of 2020 at the latest. At that time he founded the Augsburg climate camp on the fish market, which still exists today.
In an interview with the German portal, the experienced activist explains that he wants to take on “legal responsibility”, especially for younger activists. “I’m trying to have their backs covered.” He himself was on trial in 2021 – police officers accused him of defamation after he had described them as racist. He was sentenced to a fine of 1,200 euros, as the “Augsburger Allgemeine” reported at the time.
“Civil disobedience has always been a means in the struggle for democracy.”Matthias Quent, sociologist
In recent weeks, the “Last Generation” has had to take heavy criticism again and again. For example, an ambulance in Berlin arrived too late at the scene of an accident because activists from the organization had glued themselves to the street. The cyclist who was involved in the accident died, but it was proven that her death was not related to the protest action. Regarding the criticism of the actions, Blechschmidt says that “professional politicians in particular would exploit the terrible accident” to “distract from their own responsibility”.
However, the image that the “last generation” was dangerous stuck in the minds of the citizens. The sociologist Matthias Quent (36) told the German Press Agency (DPA) on Saturday: “Civil disobedience was always a means of dealing with democracy.” This could also be observed during the labor movement, the 1968ers and the anti-nuclear protests.
Another image attack: Climate activists vandalize Monet painting(01:19)
“The previous generation’s funds are mild compared to other protests,” said the sociologist from the Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences, referring to riots like the G20 summit of heads of state and government in Hamburg in 2017. “Authoritarian counter-reactions and fantasies of punishment are more dangerous for the democratic culture than the brief disruptive actions themselves.” Quent rejects demands that proceedings against members of the last generation should also be examined from a terrorist point of view as disproportionate.
“Renovate Switzerland” is asked to pay in Zurich
In Switzerland, too, protest actions are increasing again. Renovate Switzerland has repeatedly caused an uproar on Swiss roads in recent weeks. The activists made their public appearance for the first time in April this year and have repeatedly blocked roads since then, most recently several times in October. Renovate differs from other organizations in that it addresses a single specific requirement to the Federal Council: it should push ahead with the thermal renovation of buildings.
Climate activist Lerch warns: “If we don’t act, our democracy will crumble”(04:19)
The roadblocks that have been carried out in Zurich, among other places, in recent weeks can cost climate activists dearly. According to the government council, the cantonal police in Zurich want to charge them for the costs of the operation. The cantonal police will demand reimbursement from those who caused the road blockades, as the cantonal government wrote in its recently published response to a query in the cantonal council. (chs)