Germany: Climate activists likely to continue roadblock protests in major cities through late February

Event

The environmental activist group Letzte Generation will likely continue a campaign of roadblock protests in major cities, including Berlin, through late February. The activists are demanding lower speed limits and other measures to reduce fossil fuel consumption. In recent days, activists have targeted roads during the morning peak traffic hours in Berlin, Freiburg, Hamburg, Hanover, Heidelburg, Leipzig, and Ulm, amongst other urban centers. As of Feb. 15, protesters deployed a new tactic of spreading concrete across the traffic lanes on the Muhlendammbrucke bridge in central Berlin.

Typically, the protests occur without warning and target major city roads, ring roads, and access to airports. Police will respond rapidly. Protests typically last for 30 minutes to one hour before police remove protestors. Activists increasingly use superglue to attach themselves to road surfaces to slow down response operations. Traffic delays are likely on affected routes, and congestion will likely build on surrounding routes. While protesters are unlikely to act violently, security services may resort to forceful methods to disperse protests; additionally, scuffles between protesters and frustrated motorists are possible.

Advice

Avoid all protest sites if possible. Check for disruptions before beginning journeys and plan alternative routes if necessary. Heed instructions from security services and do not attempt to pass through roadblocks.