Germany: Climate activists likely to continue daily protest campaigns in major cities through late November /update 4

Environmental activists will likely continue a campaign of protests in major cities across Germany through late November. As of Nov. 14, the Last Generation (LG) group have continued to block streets daily in busy locations across Berlin, Mondays to Fridays. The group plans a mass rally on Nov. 25 from 12:00, at Strasse des 17 Juni in Berlin; it is likely that several hundred participants will take part. LG restarted a near-daily campaign of roadblock protests in mid-August, and the group has announced further measures in the coming weeks. Activists have also targeted universities that receive funding from fossil fuel industries and sprayed orange paint on building entrances, including at the University of Regensburg in recent days. LG is demanding lower speed limits and other measures to reduce fossil fuel consumption. Protesters also demonstrated in Bremen and Karlsruhe, Nov. 12; short-notice protests are possible in major cities nationwide.

Protesters typically target busy roads in the morning peak travel period. The protests occur without warning and target major city roads, ring roads, and airport access roads. Protests typically last for 30 minutes to one hour before police remove protestors. Activists increasingly glue themselves to road surfaces to slow response operations. Alternatively, protesters may march slowly along busy roads, creating traffic congestion without forming a static roadblock. 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. Activists may also conduct civil disobedience at government buildings or fossil fuel-related businesses. Authorities will almost certainly deploy additional police to monitor the gatherings.