Status: 23/09/2023, 13:29 p.m.
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The runners of the first wave will start the BMW Berlin Marathon on the Straße des 17. © Andreas Gora/dpa
On Sunday, tens of thousands of people will run the marathon through Berlin. Climate activists want to disrupt. The mayor of Berlin sends a clear appeal.
Berlin - Berlin's Governing Mayor Kai Wegner has called on the climate protection group Letzte Generation to refrain from protesting at the marathon on Sunday. "If the so-called climate activists want to disrupt the marathon, then that will anger many Berliners very much," Wegner told the German Press Agency. "I don't even want to imagine it: a disruptive action could even prevent a marathon world record. Once again, I say it very clearly: Anyone who wants to work for climate protection should refrain from these provocative and punishable actions."
"Every disturber should know that the police and the rule of law will take clear action. I therefore hope that the so-called last generation will refrain from announcing that they want to disrupt the marathon," said the CDU politician. He also fears that acceptance of climate protection will decline "if the so-called Last Generation does not finally end its road blockades or the damage to historic buildings such as the Brandenburg Gate." If the acceptance of more climate protection measures breaks down, the climate targets cannot be achieved. "But I want to achieve the climate protection goals - in Berlin, Germany and worldwide," Wegner said.
The Berlin police are very well prepared for the marathon and will be deployed with many forces to prevent any disruption of this international running event. "It annoys me very much that the Berlin police have to spend so many hours on duty because of the road blockades and other disruptive actions of the so-called Last Generation." This is time that is then lacking for the fight against crime. "The operations against the road blockades and other actions cost all taxpayers a lot of money. Money that we could put to much better use in the fight against climate change."
He is quite sure that Berliners are "very much looking forward to the marathon and will not be deterred by the so-called last generation," said the Governing Mayor. "The marathon will once again be a sports festival in Berlin this year. Berlin will show once again that it is the right place for major sporting events." dpa