Tensions rise as climate activists intensify road blocks in Berlin

Radical climate activists of the group “Letzte Generation” (“Last Generation”) blocked at least 35 main roads in Berlin on Monday – a step up in action that high-ranking politicians condemned.

On Monday, more than 800 activists temporarily brought traffic to a standstill in some parts of Berlin, according to the group.

But activists obstructed firefighters and ambulances trying to get through 15 of the blocked roads, despite the group officially aiming to let those vehicles pass, with Berlin’s fire brigade tweeting that “in seven cases our emergency services were on their way to the scene of an emergency.”

High-ranking politicians condemned the blockades, including Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD/S&D).

“I urge you not to block any escape routes. This can endanger human lives,” Faeser wrote on Twitter.

“It is a disgrace that the ‘Letzte Generation’ still pretends their crimes serve climate protection. Instead of endangering human lives by blocking roads, they should seek democratic majorities,” wrote Christian Dürr, head of the parliamentary group of the government party FDP (Renew). “Trying to force policies is anti-democratic,” he added.

As protests have intensified over the past weeks, car drivers and the police reacted with increasing vigour. Videos showing drivers dragging activists off the roads and police using force against protestors have already been shared on social media.

A police spokesperson urged car drivers to refrain from vigilante justice. “We come and solve the situation,” the spokesperson told broadcaster RBB.

“If I cause you pain, if you force me to, you will have pain chewing and swallowing for the next few days – not just today,” a police officer said before bending the activist’s arm when removing him from the street, in a video from 17 June that went viral. The incident was investigated, a spokesperson of the Berlin police told Tagesspiegel.

Meanwhile, the group’s activists have also turned to different forms of protest, such as slow-walking protest marches, blocking the Formula E championship in which electric-powered race cars compete, and spray painting the stores of luxury brands, such as Prada and Rolex.

(Jonathan Packroff | EURACTIV.de)