UPDATE - Climate activists block streets in Berlin, demand action to phase out fossil fuels

UPDATES WITH ATTACK ON PROTESTERS

By Anadolu staff

BERLIN (AA) - Last Generation climate movement blocked key streets in the German capital on Monday morning, demanding urgent action to phase out fossil fuels.

Climate activists glued themselves to roads, and blocked important junctions during the rush hour, causing long traffic jams across the city.

Videos on social media showed an angry driver attacking and pepper-spraying protesters, in order to clear them off the road.

Berlin police said they have so far responded to 21 disruptive actions, and cleared most of the streets without any major incidents.

In seven locations, officers acted promptly and activists failed to glue themselves to the road, according to a statement by the police.

Authorities warned drivers not to intervene and said those who attack protesters will face criminal charges.

Dozens of climate activists were briefly detained by the police and later released.

Last week, the group published an open letter to Chancellor Olaf Scholz and demanded urgent measures to tackle the climate crisis.

The movement is heavily criticizing the government for further investing in fossil fuel infrastructure, and endangering the future of humankind. They are demanding a complete exit from fossil fuels by 2030.