"No perspective"

Last Generation gives up protests!

Activists from the Last Generation movement at a protest at Vienna-Schwechat Airport.

(Bild: Letzte Generation AT)

The Last Generation climate protection movement is ending its sticker protests and disbanding in its current form. "We've tried", say the activists, who "no longer see any prospect of success".

This apparently means an end to protests such as sticking things to streets, actions in and around parliament and disruptive measures during sporting events such as marathons or motorsport events. However, the activists also want to put an end to more "peaceful" focuses. These include taking part in panel discussions, information evenings on climate protection issues and appearances on television.

Remaining funds for lawsuits and fines
"We use the remaining funds to cover the costs of criminalization and investigations. Our donation channels remain open because there are still high fines and high legal costs outstanding."

Activists of the Last Generation movement at a protest at Vienna-Schwechat Airport.

(Bild: Letzte Generation AT)

The Last Generation at a street blockade in Innsbruck

(Bild: Letzte Generation Österreich)

The activists were also active in Klagenfurt.

(Bild: Jennifer Kapellari)

The Last Generation at a disruptive action at a marathon in Vienna

(Bild: Letzte Generation, Krone KREATIV)

The reason for the end of the protests is apparently the headwind that they have experienced with their actions in society: "We have continued despite violence, death threats, arrests and imprisonment, hatred or fines amounting to tens of thousands of euros," explain the activists.

Last generation: "Society has failed"
Now they no longer see any prospect of success. "The government has shone with complete incompetence in the last two years. People from the population have opted for fossil fuel displacement. We realize that Austria wants to remain in fossil ignorance and thus accepts to be jointly responsible for the death of billions of people. Society has failed. This makes us infinitely sad," the group explains its withdrawal.

Group announces "new projects of resistance"
Although they are giving up, they hope to have made a difference with their actions. "We have politicized more people than ever before and planted seeds for a peaceful uprising," said the Last Generation on their farewell. But they don't want to say goodbye completely: there will be "new projects of resistance", but it is not yet clear which ones, explained spokeswoman Marina Hagen-Canaval.

Spokesperson hopes for revolt against "destructive system"
Last Generation activists do not primarily see themselves as a group like an NGO, but as a campaign. This has "reached a point where closure makes sense and makes way for a new path", says Hagen-Canaval. The organization hopes that people will continue to organize and rebel against the destructive system, they said on Tuesday.

The group's primary demand was to enshrine climate protection as a fundamental right in the constitution. Even if the actions of the Last Generation were controversial, they had nevertheless brought an important issue to the fore: the rapidly advancing climate crisis, Global 2000 said in a press release. The climate movement would continue to shake up society.