By Andreas Heimann and Marion van der Kraats, dpa
BERLIN – Berlin’s mayor has described the German capital as “really fed up” with demonstrations by climate activists, but distanced himself from vigilante attacks on protesters by angry motorists.
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“The mood on the streets of Berlin has reached a new level. Berliners are really fed up,” said Kai Wegner, a centre-right politician who took office earlier this year.
“That’s why we have to do everything we can to ensure that the police and the judiciary act hand in hand and show that the rule of law means business. We will make sure that happens.”
Wegner’s comments came the day after a criminal court in Berlin sentenced a 41-year-old Last Generation climate activist to eight months in prison for taking part in several road blockades.
The activist group described the prison sentence as the harshest punishment yet given for taking part in the street protests, in which activists block traffic and sometimes glue themselves to the street.
According to the court, the woman had participated in three blockades in Berlin between October 10 to 19, 2022, including two instances in which she glued herself to the roadway.
She had initially been fined for coercion, attempted coercion and resisting law enforcement officials. The case went to trial after she appealed.
The court imposed the prison sentence after the woman said at trial that should would continue taking part in protests. The court decided that her statement ruled out a suspended sentence.
The verdict is not yet legally binding. Last Generation has been holding a renewed wave of climate protests across Berlin this week, including numerous road blockades.
Wegner, in his remarks to Berlin’s parliament on Thursday, was particularly critical of Last Generation activists who spray-painted Berlin’s landmark Brandenburg Gate with orange paint on Sunday.
But he also distanced himself from violent attacks on Last Generation protesters by angry motorists. Videos of such attacks on protesters have circulated widely on social media in Germany.
“Vigilante justice is not the right answer. We must remain calm,” said Wegner. “I do not make distinctions: If crimes are committed, they must be sanctioned.”
Wegner said that it is “indisputable” that the government must take action on climate change, but the conservative politician accused climate activists of damaging their own cause with their tactics.
“They are souring the mood for more climate protection,” Wegner said. “That’s why we say quite clearly: everyone who is serious about climate protection … must distance themselves from such provocations.”
