The Austrian branch of the organization The Last Generation decided to end the loud protests. As the members of Letzte Generation Österreich wrote in an official statement, it was difficult for them to prove their case in the face of “violence, death threats, arrests and imprisonments, hatred and fines amounting to tens of thousands of euros”.
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Activists have had enough
The activists also stressed that they were unable to overcome the “lack of government activity” Austria towards climate change.”
We no longer see any prospects for success, they wrote in a statement.
For the past two years, the Last Generation Austria carried out a number of high-profile actions aimed at drawing public attention to the issue of climate change. Members of the group blocked streets and, among other things, poured black paint on Gustav Klimt's masterpiece “Death and Life” in the Leopold Museum in Vienna. Fortunately, the painting was behind protective glass.
In July, members of the organization took part in an action to disrupt traffic at several airports in EuropeActivists also called for climate protection to be included as a fundamental right in the Austrian constitution.
“Society has failed. It makes us endlessly sad. We make space for something new to emerge. […] Today we end our protests and the “Last Generation Austria”. […] We are full of gratitude and respect for all the brave people who protested with the Last Generation Austria. We remain angry. The resistance continues,” the activists said in a statement.
Police summary, chancellor pleased
The Austrian Ministry of the Interior, following the news that local activists had ended their protests, published a police tally of the Last Generation's activities in the country. It shows that 378 rallies have been registered since 2023. There have also been 230 reports of crimes committed and 3,990 administrative complaints, and a total of 1,060 arrests were made in connection with the protests.
Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer wrote on the X website that he “has always considered it wrong to deliberately make everyday life and commuting to work difficult for ordinary people.”
No one is above the law, no matter what the reason is. It's good that it's over! – the politician emphasized.
When questioned by the AFP agency, the members of the Last Generation made it clear that they would continue to try to raise public awareness in Germany.
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