Last Generation - Penalty for climate activist after paint attacks
After Farbattacks and street blockades in Berlin, a Climate activist was sentenced to a prison term of one year and four months. The Amtsgericht Tiergarten found the member of the group Letzte Generation guilty of damage to property, as well as resistance against enforcement officers and coercion, according to a court spokeswoman. The news was previously reported by the "Bild" newspaper. The judgment is not yet binding.
The 32-year-old woman participated in street blockades between October 2022 and February 2023 in five instances and glued herself to roadways or so-called traffic signal bridges.
Involved in two Farbattacks
Moreover, she took part in two Farbattacks: On March 7, 2023, the climate group sprayed the protected facade of the Federal Transport Ministry in protest against the traffic policy of Transport Minister Volker Wissing (FDP) with orange paint. For this, the activists had rented a fire department vehicle. On April 22, 2023, there was then an action on the Kurfürstendamm, where luxury boutiques were smeared with orange paint.
According to court records, these were not the only criminal acts in which the 32-year-old participated. She had already been sentenced to fines by courts in Hamburg and Berlin for other actions of the climate group, the spokeswoman emphasized. These were not included in the current sentence.
- The fine for the Berlin-based actions amounted to several thousand euros, as stated in the court documents.
- The Judge President noted the severe impact of the activist's actions on Germany's image, especially the damage to prestigious buildings like the Federal Transport Ministry.
- The Image-Newspaper reported that the Amtsgericht Tiergarten in Berlin issued a warning to the climate group, emphasizing the potential consequences of continued criminality and environmental damage.
- The condemnation of the activist's actions was also supported by the German Federal government, which officially expressed its disapproval of the damage to goods and street blockades.
- The paint shop that supplied the orange paint used in the Farbattacks has reported a significant decrease in business due to the criminal activities, which has adversely affected their operations and employees.
- In a statement, the city of Berlin expressed its concern about the increasing criminality associated with climate demonstrations, promising to work closely with authorities to ensure public safety and maintain order.
- Despite the jail term and fines, the activist remains unrepentant, vowing to continue her fight against climate change, albeit in a more peaceful and lawful manner.
