The newly restored Gänseliesel and fountain are showered with black mass by climate activists. This causes divided opinions.
Göttingen – The Gänseliesel really can't do anything about global warming. On Saturday, 17 June, the Göttingen landmark nevertheless became the point of attack for an action by the "Last Generation".
Protest action: Water in the Gänseliesel fountain turns to black mass
Shortly after 12 o'clock, four activists of the "Last Generation" climbed the fountain and poured a black mass over the statue, onto the edge of the pool and into the fountain water. In no time at all, the crystal-clear water turned into an opaque black mass.
After that, the activists doused themselves with the oily liquid. Standing in the black water, they held signs in their hands: "The fossil fuel lobby tells deadly lies" and "The current government course: deadly oil instead of water."
+Black mass over the beautiful head: The Göttingen Gänseliesel is showered by activists of the Last Generation on Saturday afternoon. On the water turned black.
© Stefan Rampfel
"Last Generation" campaign: Passers-by complain and ask questions
Passers-by loudly criticized the action. "With such actions you only make enemies," shouted an angry man. An elderly woman asked the climate activists if they would clean the Gänseliesel again. She didn't get an answer. Shouts such as: "Drown in it," as one man says, could also be heard. And: "Understanding is slowly fading."
"Basically, the topic is important and there is a need for action," said a tourist from Stuttgart who is visiting the university city. "It's just that I don't think it's okay." Few people can identify with such actions, she said.
Activists take advantage of Climate Protection Day in Göttingen
The activists used the Climate Protection Day, which took place on the market square, for the action. "While we are also preparing for a hot summer with water shortages in Lower Saxony, our federal government continues to invest in the deadly course of fossil fuels," said a spokesman for the "Last Generation". Although it is great when people are committed to local climate protection and reduce their CO2 consumption, this is not enough to achieve climate change.
Reinisch and Kscheschinsky harshly criticize the German government
Rosa Reinisch was also there: "As long as the federal government continues to rely on a bubbling oil flow, our local actions will remain ineffective." The 34-year-old emphasized that fossil raw materials are still subsidized with over 50 billion euros annually instead of forcing the preservation of livelihoods.
Next to Reinisch stood Bastian Kscheschinski in the fountain. The physics student calls on the government to adhere to the Climate Protection Act, the Basic Law and the Paris Climate Agreement.
The action of the "Last Generation", on the other hand, was of interest to only a few passers-by. During the occupation of Gänseliesel, a guided tour of the city took place next door, and visitors to the climate market only took note of the action on the sidelines.
"Last Generation" campaign: Black mass was probably activated carbon
The black mass is said to have been not oil, but activated carbon. It remains to be seen whether the black paint can be eliminated without leaving any residue. The Gänseliesel, including the fountain and canopy, had recently been renovated in a time-consuming and costly manner.
Further actions on Monday and Wednesday - with traffic obstruction
The next actions have been determined. On Monday, June 19, at 18 p.m., there will be a lecture on the Last Generation, and on Wednesday, June 21, the group will call for civil disobedience. At 17 p.m., a protest march will start at the auditorium. There will also be traffic blockades. (Stefan Rampfel)
+Protest against federal politics and the "fossil fuel lobby": The Göttingen Gänseliesel and the well water were colored on Saturday by activists of the Last Generation. They also protested with placards.
© Stefan Rampfel
Category list image: © Stefan Rampfel