Title: Climate Activists Cause Airport Chaos in Germany to Protest Transit Pollution
Subtitle: Last Generation Demands Government Action to Tackle Climate Crisis
Date: July 14, 2023 | 7:27pm
Author: Peter Aitken, Fox News
Climate activists in Germany disrupted plane traffic at two major airports on Thursday by gluing themselves to the runways, causing extensive delays and numerous flight cancellations. The protest, organized by the group Last Generation, aimed to raise awareness about mass transit pollution and demand stronger government action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Transport Minister Volker Wissing criticized the activists, stating, “The Last Generation isn’t protecting the climate, they’re engaged in criminal activity.” Last Generation accused officials of lacking a strategy to address the climate crisis and called for immediate plans to cut emissions in the transportation sector.
In addition to the airport disruptions, the activists targeted traffic in Munich on Friday. Using a similar method as the airport protests, one member of the group cemented himself to the street while others stuck themselves to it.
This is not the first time Last Generation has staged such protests. In April, the group glued themselves to the streets of Berlin, blocking traffic to the Alps and disrupting the holiday plans of residents and travelers. Following the airport protests, the group expressed disappointment in the government’s reliance on “technological flexibility” instead of presenting a concrete plan to meet emissions reduction targets required by law.
Hamburg Airport suspended flights at around 6 a.m. after nine unauthorized individuals entered the airfield, with eight of them glued to the tarmac. At Düsseldorf Airport, seven people successfully glued themselves to the runway, but after several hours, authorities managed to unstuck half of the protesters. The disruptions led to the delay, cancellation, or diversion of 46 flights.
The activists will face charges of disturbing the peace, coercive behavior, and dangerous interference with aviation. Transport Minister Wissing and Justice Minister Marco Buschmann accused the protesters of dividing society and ruining the long-awaited summer vacations of others. Wissing has previously blocked proposals to cut emissions from air and road travel.
Last Generation maintains that its protests are peaceful, albeit disruptive. However, motorists facing delays during roadblock protests have, at times, become aggressive towards the activists. In May, German prosecutors raided the homes of several Last Generation members on suspicion of forming or supporting a criminal organization.
As climate activists continue to push for stronger government action, the tension between environmental advocacy and societal disruption remains at the forefront of public discourse in Germany.