Demonstration - "Would Jesus be a climate activist?" Protest banner causes firefighting operation at Ulm Minster
At Ulm Minster, climate activists hung a large protest banner with the inscription "Was Jesus a Climate Activist?". "It was important for us to place the question 'Was Jesus a Climate Activist?' high and visible, to advocate for Christian values in European climate politics", said Samuel Bosch, 21, a spokesperson for the group of climate activists, according to a statement. The police reported that the fire department was also in action and special forces had been requested. The public prosecutor's office had ordered seizure of several persons involved in the action.
The banner, according to the activists, is 100 square meters in size and, according to the police, hangs at the front of Ulm Minster – the church with the tallest church tower in the world. Below the inscription, the banner also shows an illustration of a Bible passage, as the statement further said.
The spokesperson said that climate activists from South Germany had come together for this action. Twenty to thirty people were involved in the preparation. In threes, they had climbed the Ulm Minster and hung the banner at a height of 70 meters. This took two hours.
One week prior to this action at Ulm Minster was prevented
One week prior to this action at Ulm Minster, the climate activists had planned to hang the banner at Ulm Minster. At that time, however, the police had prevented the action based on their own reports of an anonymous tip.
With an exact height of 161.53 meters, the Ulm Minster has the tallest church tower in the world. The foundation stone for the Minster, which also serves as the largest Protestant church in Germany, was laid in the year 1377.
- Following the incident where the police prevented their original demonstration, the climate activists decided to resurface at Ulm Minster and hang their banner again.
- After the seizure of several individuals by the public prosecutor's office, the climate activists continued their advocacy, this time successfully installing the banner at Ulm Minster.
- The police and fire department were present during the demonstration at Ulm Minster, ensuring public safety, despite the limitations imposed due to the size and location of the banner.
- In response to the actions taken at Ulm Minster, the public prosecutor's office is expected to investigate the legal aspects of the climate activists' demonstration, specifically in relation to the banner's inscription and placement.
