Berlin police count 550 disruptive actions by climate activists

Demonstrations - Berlin police count 550 disruptive actions by climate activists

Last year, the Berlin police were deployed at 550 protest and blockade actions by climate activists. "That's 80 percent more than in the previous year," Police Commissioner Barbara Slowik told the German Press Agency.

Since the protests began almost two years ago, the Berlin police have received a total of 6130 criminal complaints. The majority concerned the Last Generation climate protection group, said Slowik. 138 charges had also been filed against people who attacked the demonstrators, for example drivers who were verbally or physically abusive and dragged blockaders off the road.

Police under massive strain

Slowik went on to say that the main allegations were of coercion, resisting police forces and damage to property. The total number of suspects is 1158, many of whom have been active several times. "Recently, the tactics have changed: from many small blockades to a few larger actions, so-called mass protests," said the police chief.

The police had been put under massive strain by the road blockades and other actions. In total, 320,000 working hours were spent on the streets last year - not including the processing of reports by the officers, said Slowik. "That's as much as the 1,800 police officers in the Berlin task force were on the road in 2022 in the area of road safety."

With regard to disruptive actions such as the spraying of landmarks, Slowik said: "We have to remain realistic. Complete protection of monuments such as the Brandenburg Gate around the clock is not possible given the number of people in our city."

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1. Barbara Slowik, the Police Commissioner, highlighted that the Last Generation climate protection group was involved in the majority of the 6130 criminal complaints against climate activists in Berlin.
2. The disruptive actions by climate activists, such as road blockades, have put a significant strain on the Berlin police, with 320,000 working hours spent on these protests last year.
3. Slowik mentioned that the tactics used by activists have evolved, with fewer small blockades and a shift towards larger actions, known as mass protests.
4. Criminal complaints against those who attacked demonstrators have also increased, with 138 charges filed against people who were verbally or physically abusive and disrupted the protests.
5. The German Press Agency reported that Barbara Slowik stated that complete protection of landmarks like the Brandenburg Gate around the clock is not feasible due to the high number of people in the city.
6. Environmental policy and climate protection groups have led to an increase in disruptive actions, prompting the Berlin police to remain vigilant and adapt their strategies to manage these protests effectively.

Source: www.stern.de