This math doctor is behind the “Last Generation”

They throw soup or mashed potatoes at paintings, flatten Berlin’s airport or stick to streets and buildings: the German organization Last Generation has been making headlines almost every day for months – in the name of the climate.

The climate chaos in Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie only hit Wednesday. According to their own words, activists of the climate protest group stuck themselves on the conductor’s stage during a concert. However, those responsible for the concert hall made short work of it: since the safety bar on the conductor’s table was not screwed down, they were able to immediately lead the activists and the bar out of the hall.

It is not only the multitude of illegal (and dangerous) actions that distinguishes the last generation from other protest movements such as Fridays For Future or the Swiss Renovate Switzerland. In contrast to the organizations just mentioned, the German chaotic people have no face – like Greta Thunberg (19) or Luisa Neubauer (26) -, no central hub. So far, as “Focus” writes.

Professor of Mathematics provides legal assistance

In the last generation’s imprint, Ingo Blechschmidt (32) is listed as the owner of the website. The maths teacher from Augsburg has been the best-known face of the regional climate scene since the summer of 2020 at the latest. At that time he founded the Augsburg climate camp at the fish market, which still exists today.

In an interview with the German portal, the veteran activist explains that he wants to take on “legal responsibility”, especially for younger activists. “I’m trying to cover their backs.” He himself stood trial in 2021 – police officers accused him of libel after he labeled them racist. He was sentenced to a fine of 1,200 euros, the “Augsburger Allgemeine” reported at the time.

In recent weeks, the “Last Generation” has been subjected to heavy criticism time and time again. For example, an ambulance in Berlin arrived too late at the scene of an accident because activists of the organization had glued themselves to the street. The cyclist involved in the accident has died, but her death has been proven to be unrelated to the protest. On the criticism of the actions, Blechschmidt says that “professional politicians in particular would exploit the terrible accident” to “distraction from their own responsibility”.

However, the image that the “last generation” was dangerous remained in the minds of the citizens. Sociologist Matthias Quent, 36, told the German Press Agency (DPA) on Saturday: “Civil disobedience has always been a means of dealing with democracy.” This was also seen during the labor movement, the 1968s and the anti-nuclear protests.

“The funds of the previous generation are lenient compared to other protests,” said the Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences sociologist, referring to riots such as the 2017 G20 summit of heads of state and government in Hamburg. punitive fantasies are more dangerous to democratic culture than the brief disruptive actions themselves.” Demanding that proceedings against members of the last generation must also be investigated from a terrorist point of view, Quent rejects as disproportionate.

“Renovate Switzerland” is asked to pay in Zurich

Protests are also on the rise in Switzerland. Renovate Switzerland has repeatedly caused a stir on Swiss roads in recent weeks. The activists first appeared in public in April this year and have since repeatedly blocked roads, most recently several times in October. Renovate differs from other organizations in that it focuses on one specific requirement for the Federal Council: it must continue with the thermal renovation of buildings.

The roadblocks that have been carried out in recent weeks, including in Zurich, could cost climate activists dearly. According to the government council, the cantonal police in Zurich want to charge them for the costs of the operation. The cantonal police will demand compensation from those who caused the roadblocks, as the cantonal government wrote in its recently published response to a question in the cantonal council. (chs)