Highlights: Since Monday, April 24, the "Letzte Generation" ("Last Generation") movement has been blocking streets in Berlin to warn of the dangers of climate change. These young people, for the most part, want to continue their actions in the long term and aim to block the German capital. But their movement provoked violent controversy and was unpopular. 82% of Germans in a recent poll condemn actions deemed counterproductive, which 82% in a survey of 1,000 people said were "very media-friendly"

Since Monday, April 24, the "Letzte Generation" ("Last Generation") movement has been blocking streets in Berlin to warn of the dangers of climate change and to denounce the inaction of those responsible...

Climate: the actions of the German movement "Last Generation" do not pass with Berliners

Climate activists block a road during a climate protest in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, April 25, 2023. AP - Markus Schreiber

Text by: RFI Follow

2 min

Since Monday 24 April, the "Letzte Generation" ("Last Generation") movement has been blocking streets in Berlin to warn about the dangers of climate change and to denounce the inaction of politicians. These young people, for the most part, want to continue their actions in the long term and aim to block the German capital. But their movement provoked violent controversy and was unpopular.

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With our correspondent in Berlin, Pascal Thibaut

Thank you police ». "Thank you for being here today to protest in the streets," said one protester. On Wednesday, April 26, 2023, the activists of "Last Generation" opted for a classic demonstration through the city center of Berlin. The goal: to seduce supporters not necessarily ready to stick their hands with glue on the asphalt of a crossroads in the cold.

But the blockade of several dozen streets since the beginning of the week must resume, in absolute that of the German capital must continue to increase the pressure against politicians accused of not doing enough against global warming. Henning Jeschke is one of the founders of "Last Generation". "I think we have shown that we have been more numerous than before, we have been active in many places and the media coverage has been important," he explains.

Unpopular methods

Street blockades and traffic jams created are not popular. The ecologists themselves denounce actions deemed counterproductive, which 82% of Germans in a recent poll condemn. "Their actions are very media-friendly, but they also provoke a lot of rejection," said one German. "What they are fighting for, the climate, is important, but their methods are a mistake," said a Berliner woman.

The consequences for these activists have been modest. The sentencing yesterday of a young woman who had glued herself to a painting in a museum to four months in prison shocked members of "Last Generation" who denounced the court's decision.

► READ ALSO: In Germany, the police rely on the "strategy of de-escalation" during the demonstrations

Climate: the actions of the German movement "Last Generation" do not pass with Berliners

Climate: the actions of the German movement "Last Generation" do not pass with Berliners

Unpopular methods

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