Climate protection

Extinction Rebellion: Arrests in front of the Landhaus

The Extinction Rebellion at the demonstration in front of the Landhaus in Bregenz.(Bild: Extinction Rebellion Vorarlberg)

The climate activists from Extinction Rebellion did not want to leave the square after a rally in front of the Landhaus in Bregenz. The result was a massive police operation including 14 arrests. 

There was a police operation in Bregenz early on Wednesday morning: the reason was climate activists from Extinction Rebellion, who were still on site after their protest rally in front of the Landhaus on Tuesday and refused to leave the square.

In this way, the participants wanted to draw attention to the urgency of "decisive politics in the face of the climate crisis", as they explained on Wednesday. Specifically, the activists are calling for the tunnel spider project in Feldkirch to be stopped. The demonstrators had chained themselves to the installed art elements of a giant, burning and drowning globe and a large birthday cake.

An unpleasant detail: A huge pile of garbage was left behind after the event.(Bild: SoS)

With actions like this, Extinction Rebellion also wants to draw attention to the fact that "the desire for more climate protection is far greater in large parts of the Austrian population" than conservative parties often portray. They interpret the climate emergency declared by the state of Vorarlberg as an "act of hypocrisy" because the necessary decisive action is lacking. "We will not stop working peacefully for the well-being of people and intact living conditions," declared some activists before they were arrested.