Members of the “Letzte Generation” (Last Generation) climate movement in Berlin have staged over 20 roadblocks at major intersections and thoroughfares in the city today, resulting in heightened tensions. A force of 500 police officers is prepared to respond to the demonstrations, while authorities have appealed to motorists to exercise patience and avoid confrontations with the protesters.

After a summer break, climate activists in the German capital have resumed their efforts to disrupt traffic as a means to apply pressure on the government and raise awareness about the urgent need to phase out internal combustion engines and enhance environmental protection measures. Their actions come shortly after they painted the iconic Brandenburg Gate with red and orange paint on Sunday, making a dramatic visual statement.

Today’s protests have strategically targeted key locations, including the major roundabout near the Victory Column, in close proximity to the Brandenburg Gate. Additionally, demonstrators have effectively disrupted traffic on primary routes leading in and out of the city center. Notably, traffic has come to a standstill near the former Tempelhof airport, where a road connects to the city’s A100 motorway.

Berlin’s police department has provided updates on the situation, stating, “Currently, there are 21 blockades across the city. At some intersections, police have successfully thwarted the actions, while at others, protesters have managed to obstruct the roads.” Given the scale of the demonstrations, authorities have deployed 500 officers to manage the situation and ensure public safety. They have also utilized social media, particularly the platform X, to relay messages to the public, urging them to remain calm and refrain from intervening individually.

The “Letzte Generation” movement is part of a global wave of climate activism, with young people demanding immediate action to combat climate change and its impacts. The resumption of these roadblocks highlights the group’s determination to keep environmental issues at the forefront of public discourse and pressure policymakers to take meaningful steps toward a sustainable future. The situation in Berlin underscores the challenges faced by governments worldwide in balancing the right to protest with the need to maintain public order and safety.

Article by Prague Forum