FRANKFURT, Sept 17 (Reuters) – Climate activists sprayed orange and yellow paint on the columns of Berlin’s landmark Brandenburg Gate on Sunday to push for demands to end the use of fossil fuels by 2030.
“Members of the so-called ‘Last Generation’ sprayed the columns on the eastern side of the Brandenburg Gate with orange paint from fire extinguishers during the morning,” Berlin police said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
It added that officers noticed that a hydraulic lift was in operation at the gate and prevented the protesters from reaching the landmark building. They arrested all 14 protesters on the spot and launched an investigation into the property damage.
The Last Generation, a German group within the pan-European A22 network, which includes British company Just Stop Oil, made headlines in Germany with hundreds of roadblocks by protesters who stuck to the tarmac.
(1/5)People walk in front of the Brandenburg Gate after climate activists of the last generation (“Letzte Generation”) threw paint on the pillars of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany, September 17, 2023. REUTERS/Swantje Stein Get license rights
Their action provoked a crackdown by the German federal states.
The Last Generation released pictures of the spray on X.
“We will not stop our protest until the pivot begins. We must leave oil, natural gas and coal by 2030 at the latest,” the statement said.
Germany aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2045, but has missed annual targets for the past two years.
Report by Ludwig Burger; Edited by Christina Fincher
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