"Stable for the Climate": More than 5,000 Participants at Climate Demonstration in Vienna

The climate demonstration in Vienna started at Vienna-Mitte/Landstraße and led over the Ring to Maria-Theresien-Platz, where the final rally took place. In Linz, there was also a call for a demonstration, which led from the main square over the Nibelungen Bridge back to the Landhaus. By late afternoon, the organizers reported over 5,000 participants in Vienna and about 500 in Linz.

Criticism of Government at Climate Demo in Vienna

The protest was against the "fossil policies of the government," for a climate protection law, and against the announced expansion of the S1 through the Lobau by Transport Minister Peter Hanke (SPÖ), as stated in a prior announcement. The ÖAMTC warned of traffic jams and delays in downtown Vienna due to the demo and advised to bypass the area via the Gürtel or use the subway.

"Now it's the government's turn to protect us, especially the youth," FFF spokesperson Laila Kriechbaum was quoted in a statement on Friday. "Climate protection does not seem to be a priority for the coalition," summarized Hannah Keller, climate and energy spokesperson for Global 2000. "We need a law that legally enshrines climate neutrality by 2040 and clearly establishes a phase-out of oil and gas," was the demand from Jasmin Duregger, climate and energy expert at Greenpeace Austria.

Among the protesters was also Green Party leader Leonore Gewessler. "Today, thousands of people are taking to the streets for real climate protection - and at the same time, the SPÖ wants to push a highway through a nature reserve. The Lobau Tunnel destroys nature, exacerbates the climate crisis, and consumes billions," the former climate protection minister stated in a release.

(APA/Red)

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