Climate crisis in court: trials against activists of the last generation”

Climate crisis in court: trials against activists of the last generation”

The “Last Generation” climate movement is once again the focus of public discussion in Chemnitz. On the hottest day of the year, with temperatures reaching 35 degrees Celsius, a trial against three of its members begins today. They are accused of coercion due to a road blockade in July 2023 that resulted in massive traffic delays. This is reported by the Free Press and points out that the negotiation raises not only legal but also social dimensions.

There had already been similar proceedings beforehand, as the Berlin Court of Appeal confirmed. There, an activist who took part in a road blockade in February 2022 was convicted of coercion. The court reduced the fine to 600 euros, which sparked an exciting discussion about the extent to which such blockades can be classified as coercion. It was emphasized that the circumstances such as duration, extent and motives of the protesters are crucial. These questions are also being discussed in Chemnitz and will have a significant influence on the verdict. Our colleagues at Deutschlandfunk provide further information on this.

How far can civil disobedience go? This is a central question that concerns not only lawyers, but also the general public. Activists in the climate movement are convinced of their moral obligation to act, even if doing so puts them in the realm of the illegal. On the table is the discussion about definitions of civil disobedience, which Jürgen Habermas describes as morally justified public protest, and the views of Howard Zinn and John Rawls, who represent different perspectives on the necessary means in political struggle. So what are legitimate forms of protest remains controversial, especially in an ecological context where the pressure for immediate change is increasing. In addition, critics say that civil disobedience has also been misused for politically questionable causes in the past. The Climate Clinic contribution makes this clear.

The basic message in the dispute over climate goals is clear: In the opinion of many activists, civil disobedience is necessary to make the urgency of the climate crisis clear. However, it should be noted that non-violence is not always guaranteed, while property damage in the context of protesters remains controversial. Civil disobedience must be viewed as a kind of hybrid in the political system - at the same time punishable and potentially legitimate as a means of promoting public discussion.

Things remain exciting in Chemnitz, where not only judgments are made, but social norms and values ​​are also put to the test. The trial will not only be a legal dispute, but also an indicator of how we as a society want to deal with the challenges of climate change. Whether the arguments of the prosecution or those of the defense prevail in the end could set the tone for future forms of protest and their legal assessment.