Chaos before the big run

Activists interrupt the start of the Rechberg race

Emergency services had to carry the Last Generation demonstrators off the racetrack.

(Bild: Letzte Generation AT, Krone KREATIV)

Chaos on the course of the Rechberg race in Styria. Members of the Last Generation interrupted the start of the "Great Mountain Prize of Austria" on Sunday. The start of the car race had to be postponed and the protesters were pulled off the road. The group's argument: "We are all in a race for our future in the face of the climate catastrophe."

Excitement at 9 a.m. at the starting line of the only European Mountain Championship race in Austria. 270 vehicles are taking part in the competition on Sunday, but before all the participants can press the gas pedal, the event is interrupted. Demonstrators of the last generation dressed in high-visibility vests sat down on the asphalt of the race track to delay the event. Emergency services such as the fire department and police were busy pulling the members off the road again.

(Bild: Letzte Generation AT)

(Bild: Letzte Generation AT)

"It's not about rejecting cars"
However, press spokeswoman Anna Freund (23) immediately made it clear that the protest was not about rejecting cars: "We respect everyone's leisure activities. But we cannot stand idly by and watch life go on as usual while the federal government drives our future up the wall. We must draw attention to this dangerous failure - including at the Rechberg race."

However, the interruption only lasted a short time. After a slight delay, the race was finally able to start. Tobias Eder (20) also joined the protest on Sunday: "Immediate political decisions and binding measures are needed to avert the climate catastrophe. Greenwashing and symbolic tree-planting campaigns only encourage the suppression of the crisis."

(Bild: Letzte Generation AT, Krone KREATIV)

Implementing the basic right to climate protection
As is probably already known, the Last Generation is calling for the recommendations of the Citizens' Climate Council to be implemented. According to the group, the protests would end as soon as even the first recommendation - a basic right to climate protection - was implemented. The climate activists have already caused a stir on the streets of Austria several times, including by sticking themselves to the streets with adhesive tape. 

According to the Last Generation, further disruptive actions are likely to take place soon. The activists warn that streets in Vienna will be paralyzed again at regular intervals from 4 May.