After climate activists caused chaos at airports around the world last Wednesday, the latest generation will also enter the second round in Austria on Saturday. But this time the rally does not cause much excitement…
The climate activist group started the announced demonstration at Vienna Airport in Schwechat this morning. According to police spokesman Johann Baumschlager, around 50 people held an unannounced meeting in the arrivals hall of Terminal 3. “Some identity checks have already been carried out,” says Baumschlager.
Saturday’s rally was announced for 11:00. At the scene, the slogan ‘Oil Kills’ was eventually rolled out and speeches were also made. It is unlikely that the protesters will cause much excitement among the passengers this time. Passengers do not seem to be impressed by the activists’ speeches and posters.
Now activists are facing the consequences
Flughafen Wien AG filed charges against the eight protesting activists on Wednesday. They are accused of damaging property, holding an unauthorized assembly, disturbing public order and various violations of the airport’s operating regulations, airport spokesman Peter Kleemann said.
Kleemann announced that civil action would also be taken against the eight activists who spilled paint and delayed the departure of a plane.
Activists glued to asphalt
There have been several actions in the past few days. On Wednesday, several flights were cancelled at Cologne/Bonn Airport because activists had glued themselves to the tarmac. The suspension of air traffic at Frankfurt am Main Airport on Thursday had the same reason.
Vienna Airport prepared in advance for Saturday’s action. Board member Günther Ofner said at a press conference on Tuesday that 670 police officers would be on site “on full alert” and would also monitor the area with drones.
From a political perspective, Lower Austrian Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner (ÖVP) spoke on Saturday. “I have absolutely no understanding for those chaotic people who have announced their mischief at Schwechat Airport in the media and want to spoil the holidays of our compatriots,” the country’s head said in a statement to the APA. “I would like to write them a very simple message: You are not climate heroes, but criminals. Anyone who disrupts air traffic must go behind bars.”
Source: Krone
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