Vandalism

Protest against eastern bypass now even “criminal”

Slogans against the Wiener Neustadt eastern bypass and the expropriation of farmers for the road construction project now "adorn" a private parking space in the city center.(Bild: Günter Tschank)

Opponents of the major road construction project in Wiener Neustadt have now gone one step too far: They have damaged other people's property and spray-painted slogans on walls. The owner has already pressed charges. 

The disputes surrounding the planned eastern bypass of Wiener Neustadt reached a new climax at the weekend. As reported, the protest camp of opponents of the road construction project was cleared under police supervision. However, some of the activists appear to be getting increasingly "rowdy".

Spray-painted slogans
Alleged sympathizers of the bypass opponents do not even stop at other people's property. Günter Tschank has now been made aware of this, although the well-known master photographer had previously kept completely out of the case. On Tuesday night, unknown persons sprayed slogans against the eastern bypass on the walls of his private parking lot with rented parking spaces in the city center.

The costs for painting over the messages will have to be borne by the owner - for the time being at least.(Bild: Günter Tschank)

Complaint filed 
"I understand that there can be controversy surrounding a project like this. But I don't understand why it should be at my expense," says the entrepreneur. In any case, Tschank has filed a complaint - tips on the perpetrators to the police.

The measure is full! Vandalism in the name of protest cannot be justified. Graffiti on house walls is a clear transgression of boundaries. This kind of thing has no place in our city!

Matthias Zauner, Klubobmann der ÖVP im Wiener Neustädter Gemeinderat

Distancing demanded
Matthias Zauner, club leader of the ÖVP in the Wiener Neustadt municipal council, sees the action of the unknown graffiti artists as an "attack on the basic values of peaceful coexistence". Blind vandalism should not be tolerated, the politician emphasizes: "There is no justification for this!" Anyone who wants to argue reasonably in the debate about the eastern bypass must clearly distance themselves from such protests.