Streets open again – climate protest dissolved: activist had to go to toilet

In the middle of morning traffic, some climate activists blocked a street “quite central” on Wednesday — which it should be, the activists kept it a secret for a long time. They only announced shortly before the start of the campaign: the location is at the intersection of Villacher Ring and Villacher Strasse.

However, the action is only intended as a blockade – the activists did not intend to stay on the street due to the temperatures (-11 degrees). As soon as the activists arrived at the location, the blue lights of the police cars came on: about 20 officers and ten patrol cars arrived. A helicopter from the Ministry of the Interior is also deployed. According to the police, he is there “not by accident”.

Almost no incidents
Those involved had no choice but to wait: the traffic had already been diverted, but the activists were left out in the cold. Your personal data was registered by the police, who were armed: “After the action had already been announced on social media the day before, colleagues were more helpful,” says Waltraud Dullnigg, spokeswoman for the state police, on site to collect the “Crown “.

“The activists were asked to leave the site.” If they fail to comply with this request, they could be deported – as has been the case with similar protests in other states. Dullnigg: “We are waiting for the decision of the authorities.”

There were hardly any incidents, the police only had to intervene once when a pedestrian became aggressive and shouted at the protesters.

“Penalties don’t matter”
Anja Windl from the “Last Generation” organized the climate protest in Klagenfurt: “It’s not about the punishments for me. But I’m not afraid of prison, not afraid of tickets. Because I know that my fear of what we’re up against is so much greater is. Therefore, I am willing to take it upon myself.”

The mayor of Klagenfurt, Christian Scheider, also demands consequences for the activists: “The state capital is a model city when it comes to climate protection. But such disruptive actions should be condemned in the strongest possible terms.”

According to Scheider, roadblocks like those of the “last generation” tend to trigger the opposite of climate protection: “Not only do hundreds of motorists get stuck in traffic with their engines running, but most citizens also react with complete incomprehension. “

protest resolved peacefully
Unlike previous protests, members of the “Last Generation” did not have to be taken away by police. Shortly before 10:30 am, one participant’s bladder was squeezed – in solidarity, all three activists ended the disruptive action.

“Scientists4Future” help
The young people receive support from “Scientists4Future”: “Some of the 50 Carinthian scientists who have shown public solidarity in recent days will probably be there to give them some encouragement,” explains Windl.

The Alpen-Adria-Universität Klagenfurt shows solidarity: “Protest researchers from the Institute for Cultural Analysis will also make empirical observations.”

Comment “Krone”: “Lei losn” – a bravo for the Carinthian recipe for success
Well, it doesn’t always work out. But here it was great, exemplary, worthy of imitation. When climate activists in Klagenfurt began their announced blockades on Wednesday morning, the police reacted calmly and cordoned off the scene extensively to avoid confrontations. A single minor incident involving a (walking) spectator was easily calmed down.

And what about dragging, dragging, intervening, ie those images that the activists and opponents have been waiting for, some because escalation increases attention, others because they can use it to vicariously vent their aggression? Nothing like that. The Carinthian recipe “Lei losn” has proven itself perfectly. Minus twelve degrees and time have brought a soft end to the protest after sufficient attention. Well done!