That is a significant amount: Vienna Airport now wants 36,000 euros from the Last Generation activists. That would be the damage done by the summer protests. What climate activists say about the lawsuit: “That’s absurd.”
Last week, Schwechat Airport announced that it would sue the activists for the actions on July 24 and 27 for an amount of more than 36,000 euros. The group announced this itself on Thursday.
Airport floor smeared with paint
Over the summer, several people spread water-soluble paint on the floor of Terminal 3 and sat near signs that read “Oil Kills.” In addition, three days later, orange confetti was thrown from a gallery in the building.
Complaint is absurd for movement
“As one of the top companies in Austria, Vienna Airport contributes enormously to climate destruction, accumulating millions in fossil fuel profits. And now we have to give the airport money? That is absurd,” says Magdalena Vith (24). The student is one of the ten defendants.
Although the movement announced the end of protests in August, the consequences of legitimate protests are shared. For this reason, the group launched a crowdfunding campaign to fight the civil case against the airport. “36,000 euros for washable paint and a little confetti is completely unrealistic,” says Anja Windl. She is also one of the defendants. The fundraising goal is initially 20,000 euros.
“We have received both complaints from the airport and will dispute them. Like my customers, I wonder how the airport can incur such high costs because of washable paint and confetti. A court will now have to decide whether my clients have to pay these costs – or not,” said lawyer Paul Kessler, who represents the climate activists in court.
Another defendant, James Nylon, 24, added: “I am particularly interested in the airport’s argument. It is unclear to me to what extent we should be responsible for the airport’s personnel costs.”
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
