Protesters block traffic in German capital, demand urgent climate action

By Anadolu staff

BERLIN (AA) - German environmental protesters blocked traffic on Berlin’s roads on Monday, demanding urgent action against climate change.

Last Generation activists said in a statement that they will continue their road-blocking protests for a second week in Berlin to mount pressure on the government.

"The world is going up in flames around us, this can no longer be ignored,” said Simon Lachner, the movement’s speaker.

He slammed the German government for pledging to cut carbon pollution, but further investing in fossil fuel infrastructure, and endangering the future of humankind.

“We need to get out of fossil fuels, and for that we need politicians to stop telling us fairy tales,” he stressed.

Berlin police said they managed to stop activists before they glued themselves to the road in the Prenzlauer Berg district, but the blockages were continuing in at least five other locations.

The protesters carried banners that read “Away from fossil fuels, towards justice” and demanded a major shift in energy policy, and a complete exit from fossil fuels by 2030.

In recent months, the Last Generation sparked controversy in Germany with radical protests and extreme actions. Climate activists glued their hands to famous paintings in museums and blocked highways and airport runways to attract media attention.