Climate activists from the Last Generation (Letzte Generation) movement spray-painted the eastern side of Berlin’s Brandenburg Gate columns with fire extinguishers filled with orange paint on Sunday, the 17th of September, to demonstrate that fossil fuels must be phased out by 2030, the Berlin police said on the platform X (formerly Twitter), according to Reuters.
Berlin police officers have detained all 14 protesters and launched an investigation into property damage. The actions of the Last Generation activists at the Brandenburg Gate have sparked a backlash from German law enforcement.
The group shared images of their action on X and reiterated their demand to move away from oil, natural gas and coal by 2030.
‼️ WEG VON ÖL, GAS UND KOHLE BIS 2030
Wir brauchen eine grundlegende Wende. Deshalb gibt es jetzt gerade ca. 30 Sitzblockaden in Berlin. Wir sind entschlossen, diesen friedlichen Widerstand so lange fortzusetzen wie notwendig.
Weg von fossil – hin zu gerecht! pic.twitter.com/Q9eSRexR48
— Letzte Generation (@AufstandLastGen) September 18, 2023
👣 Six pillars of the Brandenburg Gate and the floor in front of it are covered in paint.
Berlin’s most famous landmark stands for major turning points in history. Starting tomorrow, it’s on: we are here, we are many, and we are staying. pic.twitter.com/gThlH8Fx3O
— Letzte Generation (@AufstandLastGen) September 17, 2023
Last Generation, the German branch of the European A22 network, has attracted attention in Germany with its protests, which include hundreds of roadblocks where demonstrators have chained themselves to the pavement.
Germany aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2045, but has missed its annual targets for the past two years.
Read also: Trump rejoices at Putin’s praise