Climate fighter colored the chancellery red - an expression of protest and violence!

Climate fighter colored the chancellery red - an expression of protest and violence!

On Monday, July 7, 2025, there were a remarkable campaign by two climate activists at the Chancellery in Berlin. Around 12.15 p.m., the activists smeared the unprotected facade of the building with red color. This provocative campaign was accompanied by the activists with the presentation of a poster, on which the words "dirty work is bloody" were read. This message refers to a controversial quote from Chancellor Friedrich Merz about Israel and is intended to draw attention to the violent conflicts there. The red handprints that the activists pressed onto the wall symbolize terror against Israel and a lynch murder in Ramallah.

The two activists called the sentence "From the River to the Sea" during the campaign before they were arrested by the police. The police's investigation into property damage has already been initiated. A Berlin investigator pointed out the increasing pro-Palestinian violence and the threats that are directed against Jewish people in the city. Such a development is not new; A pro-Palestinian demonstration recently took place in which the FDP politician Karoline Preisler was protected by the police

Investigations and attacks on activists

Just one day after the campaign at the Chancellery, on Tuesday morning, a group of activists from “Last Generation” demonstrated again in front of the federal political building. According to a police announcement, around 70 people were involved in the demonstration, in which several property damage was found. The activists painted sayings such as "Olaf lies" on the facade and the sidewalk of the Chancellery and kept the corresponding posters up. The police sometimes react with physical violence when she tried to capture some activists, which leads to new bodily harm in office.

Marion Fabian, the spokeswoman for "last generation", criticized Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) in this context for his statements about the climate measures. A video from the demo shows a uniformed police officer who brings and fixed two women together with a civilian police officer. In view of these incidents, a proceedings against the police officer concerned have been rolling in office for suspected assault. A total of 67 people were temporarily recorded, 26 criminal investigation procedures, including 24 due to property damage.

background of the protests

The protests of the “last generation” are part of a broader movement that has been drawn to civil disobedience in Germany since the beginning of 2022. These actions, which also include street blocks and other forms of protest, aim to persuade politicians to take measures in the field of climate protection and climate justice. The civil disobedience has historical roots in Germany and mainly occurs on controversial topics. The activists differ from many other protest movements from the clear intention to point out grievances, even if they exceed legally relevant limits.

In the social discussion, they are not only faced with challenges in justification for their actions, but also in the perception of their legitimacy. The American philosopher John Rawls and the Federal Constitutional Court have raised questions about morality and legal justification for civil disobedience. Ultimately, it remains to be seen how the public perception of climate activists and their protests will develop.