Climate glue in court: judgments and the consequences for Chemnitz!

Climate glue in court: judgments and the consequences for Chemnitz!

On July 3, 2025, three members of the controversial climate group “Last Generation” had to appear in court in Chemnitz. The accusation was of coercion after the activists stuck themselves on Zwickauer Strasse in July 2023, thereby significantly hindering traffic. The action caused a lot of anger among drivers and was not the first action by the group, which is increasingly being criticized for its protest methods. The defendants decided against the punishment orders imposed on them, which ultimately led to this court hearing at which the verdicts were reached.

The penalties imposed varied: Matthias Schimmich received a fine of 300 euros, Alina Joy Richter was sentenced to 240 euros, while Juliane Schmidt, who was already convicted in an earlier trial for a paint attack on Deutsche Bank, had to pay 800 euros. She will also be obliged to pay the costs of the procedure. The court hearing gave the activists the opportunity to present numerous evidentiary claims, including calling in climate scientists to support their argument. But the court was patient and took its time making a decision.

Activism and Justice

The developments surrounding the “last generation” are part of a much larger trend. Activists in the group aim to draw attention to the pressing issues of climate change through civil disobedience. These new forms of protest are perceived very differently in society; While some view them as heroic, lawyers often view the acts as criminal offenses. Research projects investigate to what extent such climate protests can be classified as legal despite breaking the law.

The recent verdicts against climate activists are also the focus of the discussion. A 65-year-old activist in Berlin was sentenced to one year and ten months in prison without parole. He was accused of coercion and resisting law enforcement officers after taking part in a road blockade. Another example for the hard line taken by the judiciary against climate activists.

The debate about climate protection

The actions of the “Last Generation” also raise fundamental questions about the legal framework and the legitimacy of protest actions. The need to deviate from existing laws in order to draw attention to the effects of climate change is met with both approval and sharp criticism. Some activists are of the opinion that the judiciary is not sufficiently prepared to deal with the new forms of protest and speak of an “enemy criminal law”. This discussion is important as society grapples with the question of how far one can go in a constitutional state to generate attention for legitimate and urgent change.

Juliane Schmidt, with her story and the high penalties, is not just an isolated case, but is a symbol of society's ambivalent approach to climate protection and the associated protests. The legal repercussions and legal challenges are anything but over.