- The Commission will enact implementing regulations, outlining the specifics for the execution of this Regulation.
Protesters who attach themselves to airports or museums not only face legal consequences, but also have to handle claims for damages. This can get quite costly.
In August 2022, two individuals stuck themselves to the historic frame of Peter Paul Rubens' painting "The Massacre of the Innocents" at the Alte Pinakothek. The ornate gilding on the frame, designed by court architect Joseph Effner around 1725 with intricate carvings and engravings, was damaged, along with the wall covering. The damages are estimated to be in the tens of thousands of euros, according to a representative for the Pinakothek. Steps have been taken to seek compensation for the damage caused.
Disrupting flight operations is even more expensive. In December 2022, four activists stuck themselves to a taxiway at Munich Airport, causing diversions and delays. Before the Whitsun holidays in May 2023, six activists from "The Last Generation" stuck themselves to runways, both runways were closed, and 60 flights were cancelled. The damages for Munich Airport alone amount to a substantial sum, a spokesperson said. The exact damage for individual airlines is not known, but it's likely to be significantly higher than that of Munich Airport.
Lufthansa has filed claims for damages for similar actions in Berlin in November 2022, as well as in Düsseldorf and Hamburg in July 2023. "The proceedings are ongoing. We examine claims for damages in every case of this kind, including the recent incidents in May 2023 in Munich," a spokesperson said. The damage assessment is still ongoing.
The airport company has already secured a civil law judgment against the protesters from December 2022. "However, enforcement has been unsuccessful so far." The airport will "continue to pursue the collection of claims without restriction." The damage claim for the May blockade is currently being prepared.
In comparison, the bills presented by the Federal Police for their deployment at the airport are relatively manageable: The protesters from December 2022 will have to pay 722 euros each, and the activists who were already stopped at the fence will have to pay 91 euros each. The basis is the Federal Fee Ordinance - depending on the number of deployed officers and necessary aids, a spokesperson said. The bill for the police deployment in May is still being prepared.
Generous donations
A major source of funding for climate activists is donations. There are numerous appeals for this online. Some are successful: One already shows a donation of 309,000 euros, another 101,000 euros. Even "The Last Generation" spokesperson Carla Hinrichs asks: "Hey you, who is reading this." She was fined 6,000 euros in July and also has to cover the court costs. "I would be grateful if you could share this with me." Her fundraising goal is 8,500 euros. Half of it has already been received.
In response to their actions at Munich Airport in May 2023, Lufthansa has initiated claims for damages. The exact amount is yet to be determined.
The protesters who attached themselves to Peter Paul Rubens' painting "The Massacre of the Innocents" in August 2022 will likely face a claim for damages, given the extensive damage to the ornate frame and wall covering, with estimated costs in the tens of thousands of euros.
