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

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

In Chemnitz, three members of the controversial climate group "Last Generation" had to answer to court on July 3, 2025. The allegation was for coercion after the activists stuck on Zwickauer Straße in July 2023 and thus significantly hindered traffic. The campaign caused a lot of resentment among drivers and was not the first action in the group, which is increasingly criticized for their protest methods. The accused decided against the criminal orders imposed on them, which finally led to this trial in which the judgments were made.

The penalties imposed turned out to be different: Matthias Schimmich received a fine of 300 euros, Alina Joy Richter was sentenced to 240 euros, while Juliane Schmidt, who was already sentenced to Deutsche Bank in an earlier procedure for a color attack. She is also obliged to bear the procedural costs. The court hearing gave the activists the opportunity to provide numerous requests for evidence, including the convene of climate scientists to support their argument. But the court was patient and took time to make decisions.

activism and judiciary

The developments related to the "last generation" are part of a much larger trend. Activists in the group pursue the goal of drawing attention to the pressing questions of climate change through civil disobedience. These new forms of protest are perceived very differently in society; While some see them as heroic, lawyers often consider the deeds as criminal acts. Research projects to what extent such climate protests can be classified as lawful.

The recent judgments against climate activists are also the focus of the discussion. A 65-year-old activist in Berlin was sentenced to a prison sentence of one year and ten months without probation. He was accused of coercion and resistance to enforcement officers after participating in a blockade. Another example for the hard line of the judiciary against climate activists.

The debate about climate protection

The actions of the "last generation" also raise basic questions about legal framework conditions and the legitimacy of protest. The compulsion to deviate of existing laws in order to draw attention to the effects of climate change is met with both consent and sharp criticism. Some activists believe that the judiciary is not sufficiently prepared to deal with the new forms of the protest and speak of an "enemy criminal law". This discussion is important because society deals with the question of how far you can go in a rule of law to attract attention for a legitimate and urgent change.

Juliane Schmidt, with her history and the high punishments, is therefore not only an isolated case, but is also a symbol for the ambiguous handling of society with climate protection and the associated protests. The legal aftermath and legal challenges are anything but concluded.