– We do not use violence, but in an act of desperation we are trying to draw public attention to the climate crisis – said in court one of the activists who disrupted a concert at the National Philharmonic for several months. On Wednesday, the trial of women associated with the Last Generation began in the District Court for Warsaw-Śródmieście.
The incident covered by the misdemeanour proceedings took place on 3 March during a concert at the National Philharmonic.. Women stormed the stage, shouting: “This is an alarm. Our world is burning. We are the last generation that can stop the climate catastrophe. We demand radical investment in public transport.”
During the incident, which lasted several dozen seconds, the orchestra did not stop playing, and the activists were led off the stage. Their case went to court. The young women were charged under Article 51 of the Code of Petty Offences, or for disturbing public order.
They pleaded guilty. “We do not use violence”
In the courtroom on Wednesday, they pleaded guilty and gave statements. Among other things, they indicated that they had joined the Last Generation campaign.
– I decided to disrupt a concert at the National Philharmonic. I undertook a peaceful act of civil disobedience. We are not using violence, but in an act of desperation we are trying to draw public attention to the climate crisis (…). Based on the latest report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, we know that if emissions are not drastically reduced now, then over the next few decades people will struggle with five times more extreme weather phenomena – one of the activists emphasized in court.
She added that climate change will cause long-term heat waves or droughts that could affect 3 billion people. She emphasized that she will continue to protest and that the protest at the philharmonic was her spontaneous decision. – This is my human and civic duty, that's why I will do it and I will do it today as well – she said.
Activists disrupt concert at the National Philharmonic The Last Generation, Facebook
When asked by the court why they chose this form of protest and the location, she replied that in Switzerland two activists had disrupted a concert at the philharmonic. “The conductor recognized the importance of what these people had to say and allowed them to speak. I know that in a country where the climate crisis is being felt, we also need people to wake up from their slumber,” the activist said.
She added that there had never been such an action in Poland. When asked by the court what kind of organization the Last Generation was, she noted that it was a “collection of ordinary, concerned citizens.”
The second activist emphasized: “I am simply sounding the alarm about the crisis, which is why it disrupts everyday areas of life.” She also admitted that it was a violation of the Code of Petty Offenses, but there are more important laws.
After hearing the activists’ explanations, the court set the next hearing date for December 16.
“History will acquit us.” Demonstration in front of the court
During the court session, a solidarity demonstration of the Last Generation was held in front of the building. Its participants carried banners with the slogan: “History will acquit us”, among others.
The Last Generation is a group of activists operating in Poland, Germany, Austria and Italy, among other places. They attempt to block streets and bridges, and are responsible for, for example, pouring water over the Warsaw Mermaid monument or delaying the start of the first race of the season at the Służewiec Track.
Main image source: PAP/Szymon Pulcyn