Last updated: 31.10.2023, 05:11 a.m.
By: Franziska Schwarz
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The climate activists of the Last Generation use controversial road blockades and spraying actions. Claims for damages have already been made.
Berlin – The World Clock has now also been sprayed by the Last Generation. After the Brandenburg Gate, the activists painted the landmark on Berlin's Alexanderplatz orange – according to their own statements, they used four prepared fire extinguishers for this purpose. The World Time Clock is the work of the GDR designer Erich John and is a listed building.
The climate protest action took place around 9:00 a.m. Two of the climate activists climbed onto the World Clock and unfurled a banner with the words: "It's time for the turnaround: Away from fossil – towards fair". This was stated in a press release of the Last Generation.
The protest actions of the climate activists are controversial. Members of the group had sprayed the columns of the Brandenburg Gate with orange paint on September 17. At that time, the police arrested 14 activists and investigated for damage to property harmful to the public. Berlin's Senator for Finance, Stefan Evers, then emphasized that the polluters must bear the costs of cleaning. It cannot be that taxpayers are left with the costs, which are expected to be in the six-figure range, said the CDU politician.
The world clock on Alexanderplatz was sprayed orange. © Paul Zinken/dpa
World clock sprayed – is there a threat of the next claim for damages against climate activists?
Eurowings also demanded compensation after the BER blockade. In November 2022, members of the Last Generation paralyzed flight operations at the capital's airport for almost two hours. The activists repeatedly block airports in Germany. In mid-July, some of them landed on the tarmacs at Hamburg and Düsseldorf airports.
At BER, the action in November 2022 was also not the last of its kind. In May of this year, activists again invaded the compound and sprayed paint on a private machine. With these actions, the group wants to draw attention to the climate-damaging emissions of flying.
War in Israel: Climate protests put to rest on "Day of Rage"
Following Hamas' terror attack on Israel, activists suspended planned protests for last Friday (October 13). Hamas had called for a "day of rage" around the world. On Platform X, the Last Generation announced the evening before: "Deeply dismayed by the calls to carry out attacks on Jews worldwide tomorrow, we do not want to tie up police forces that are expected to be needed to protect lives. We have informed the police about it."
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In Germany, there have been numerous anti-Semitic incidents since the war in Israel. In Berlin, according to police on Monday (16 October), there was again "various damage to property in the form of painted Stars of David as well as anti-Israel and pro-Palestinian lettering throughout the city". According to witnesses, guests of a Jewish restaurant were also intimidated there, it was said.
Nationwide, pro-Palestinian gatherings have been banned several times in recent days. The responsible authorities justified this with the expectation of hateful, anti-Semitic statements as well as the danger of glorification of violence and calls for violence. Immediately after the Hamas terror on October 7, there were jubilant celebrations by Hamas sympathizers in Berlin's Neukölln district. (FRS with dpa)