Blockade - Activists block cruise ships in Kiel
Ten protesters, according to their own statements, are hindering two cruise ships from leaving in Kiel with their kayaks. They circle around the bow of the ships, as a participant of the German Press Agency stated on Sunday afternoon. The police are present with two ships and are trying to end the action. The Water Police in Kiel confirmed upon request that there is an operation in progress. No details were given initially.
The action group "Smash Cruiseshit" wants to protest against the effects of cruiseship tourism on the climate and against working conditions on board, according to their statement. Furthermore, attention should be drawn to "existing colonial exploitation," it was stated in a press release.
According to reports, the "Mein Schiff 7" and the "AIDAbella" at the Ostseekai are affected by the blockade. In addition, there are four activists on the roof of the power plant. The protest is part of European-wide actions, which have been organized through the European Cruise Activist Network (ECAN).
In Kiel, the cruiseship boom is taking place, it was stated. The number of passengers is increasing from year to year. A activist declared in the press release: "We've had enough! These floating hotels and their filth are always in the middle of the city." The majority of the ships are operated with highly toxic fuel oil. There was a similar protest against cruiseship tourism in the Kiel harbor on June 1st.
- The blockade by ten protesters against two cruise ships, namely "Mein Schiff 7" and "AIDAbella," is causing disruption in Kiel's cruise tourism industry, as reported by the German Press Agency.
- The blockade is a part of a wider European movement against the environmental impacts and working conditions on cruise ships, organized by the European Cruise Activist Network (ECAN).
- The police are attempting to end the blockade, utilizing two ships, as the Water Police in Kiel confirmed to the media on Sunday evening.
- Environmentalists argue that cruiseships contribute to climate change and exacerbate existing colonial exploitation, as stated by the action group "Smash Cruiseshit."
- The cruiseship boom in Kiel is impacting the local environment, with a significant increase in the number of passengers each year, as mentioned in the press release.
- Protesting activists, including those on the roof of the power plant, are using kayaks to circle around the ships' keels, demonstrating their opposition to the environmental degradation caused by cruiseships, much like the previous protest on June 1st.
