Two “Last Generation” activists have sparked debate after it was revealed they had flown to Thailand on vacation. In September 2022, they blocked streets in Stuttgart to protest against climate change, holding up banners reading “Save oil instead of drilling”. The Bad Cannstatt district court had therefore issued a penalty order for coercion against one of the two activists who had traveled as well as three other people. The main hearing took place on January 30, but only three of the accused appeared, as the district court WELT confirmed.
After a report by “Bild” on Wednesday about the events, a discussion broke out on social media. For example, CSU General Secretary Martin Huber wrote: “What an incredible double standard!”
Now the “Last Generation” has commented on the incident on Twitter itself. She confirmed the two activists’ trip to Thailand (“Image” had indicated Bali as the travel destination) and said she understood the “negative feelings” that this evoked.
At the same time, the group criticized the excitement about the trip: “At the same time, we’re back. A fly in the ointment was found. As to be expected.” In view of the catastrophe “that we, as the last generation, are trying to prevent before the tipping points, it is always sad”. In her opinion, it is not a prerequisite to change one’s own life in order to protest against climate collapse. “If there was any doubt as to whether people who eat meat, drive cars or fly long-haul flights can take to the streets with us against the government’s breach of the constitution, we would like to clear it up: yes!”
In return, the group sharply criticized federal policy. For example, she attested to Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) double standards, digging up Lützerath as “climate chancellor”, the CSU blocking the expansion of wind power and selling the FDP-led Ministry of Transport as a solution for the expansion of the motorway. For them, it’s about making the right demands on the federal government.
The two activists are not facing legal consequences for not appearing in court. The district court explained to WELT that one of the participants was invited as a witness, that she was not questioned and that there was therefore no threat of a fine. The defendant does not get any additional punishment either. Since the penalty order had already been set, he only had to pay the fine mentioned in the order – 50 daily rates of 20 euros each. The non-appearance only meant that the objection to the penalty order was rejected and is therefore legally binding.
