Climate activist at “Markus Lanz”: “Civil resistance works”

In the US midterm elections, citizens elect new representatives in the House of Representatives, in the Senate and new governors. This election is considered a referendum on Biden’s previous term in office. And an old familiar face is increasingly in the public eye. We are talking about Donald Trump. Markus Lanz tells with four guests exactly what is happening in the States in his show. In addition, the controversial protests of the group “Last Generation” are discussed.

Present in the studio:

The election results are not yet in, but everything indicates that the Republicans will have the majority in the House of Representatives, reports Elmar Thevessen from Washington. “That would be a blatant defeat for Joe Biden,” he adds. He will face a difficult second term, which may be characterized by committees of inquiry: “The withdrawal from Afghanistan and the funds to Ukraine can be investigated.”

His predecessor, Donald Trump, has a “big announcement” scheduled for Nov. 15. “What could that be?” asks moderator Markus Lanz of Thevessen. It could be the announcement of the presidential candidacy. Whether that would really make sense for the Republicans is questionable for Thevessen:

It is unlikely that Joe Biden will run again. The pressure within the party is very high. You strive for change and “Nobody wants Joe Biden anymore,” says Thevessen.

For climate protection, the activists of the German group “Last Generation” break the law almost every day. “We can no longer bear the injustice of the climate catastrophe,” activist Carla Rochel said of the situation. She is 20 years old, studying political science in Heidelberg and has spent many nights in police cells.

The ‘Fridays For Future’ movements would simply be ignored by politicians. Therefore, one has to resort to more radical steps. The movement is known for “holding to the streets” to specifically impede traffic. Besides Clara Rochel, there are many more young people who do this. The older generation is also concerned and has already joined the protest movement. It unites the general disappointment of politics and society:

“We want a sign from the federal government that they understand how serious the situation is,” Clara Rochel demanded. “What do you want specifically?” asks Lanz. The first step is a national ticket of 9 euros and the second step is a speed limit of 100 km/h: “Once the steps are taken, we will get off the road.”

“You are blackmailing the country, you know that?” Lanz challenged the activist. That’s not blackmail, you’re not doing it to your own advantage, Rochel argues.

“It’s blackmail, it’s coercion. They paralyze parts of public life,” adds journalist Eva Quadbeck. The demands mentioned by Rochel can also be reached through partisan political channels.

Quadbeck does not think the reasoning about the two requirements makes sense: “The 9 euro ticket is more of a social measure than a climate measure.”

Quadbeck argued that even a speed limit of 100 km/h would not do much for climate change.

Markus Lanz is amazed at the demands of the timepiece: «All this for a ticket of 9 euros? Do you really think politicians will react to this?” However, the activist is confident that talks will be held with the federal government.

The death of the cyclist is discussed. This would have to do with the protest movement. “We have nothing to do with the accident,” Clara Rochel said. “The accident has not yet been clarified,” replies Eva Quadbeck.

Rochel said she was “stunned” that the accident was exploited. She repeats this a few times and you can see that this accusation – of being partly responsible for the death – touches her deeply.

Activists in the center would not stick to the street to form a rescue strip in an emergency, she assures.

On the day of the accident with the cyclist, the activists’ rescue lane was open, she says. The cars were the problem as they were blocking the road due to heavy traffic. “That’s a very bad argument,” Lanz replies. The movement would deliberately hinder traffic, not the cars.

Clara Rochel reaffirms that all necessary preventive measures have been taken to ensure that the timepiece does not cause damage:

Moreover, the climate activists are responsible for the attacks on art paintings. The aim of the group is not to damage the art, but to draw attention to the subject.

“But the action is more about talking about art and mashed potatoes and not about the climate,” Eva Quadbeck criticized the group’s action.

Rochel does not share this view. Incidentally, a connection must be made recognizable: “My kids don’t get a chance to look at a piece of art in the museum if they have to fight outside for food”she predicts dramatically.