On Saturday afternoon, around 100 climate activists held a spontaneous meeting in front of the Mercedes-Benz branch on Donnersbergerbrücke. The action was not announced in advance. There were scuffles between activists and police. The police sometimes used batons to prevent activists from getting through to the Mercedes-Benz site.
Around 60 activists came to the Mercedes-Benz premises and held a banner that read “Mercedes – whether with the climate crisis or war, the main thing is profit” and threw confetti around them. The gathering was quickly surrounded by police. After about half an hour, more climate activists arrived. Among other things, they chanted “Anticapitalista” or “The earth is burning, when will the IAA burn?”
Police barriers overflowed
Police spokesman Andreas Franken from the Munich police said on site that the activists had violently overrun two police barriers. “Officers were physically attacked and some acts of resistance were carried out,” said Franken. A police officer received a punch but was able to continue his duties. The police are investigating several cases of breach of the peace.
Protest “right in the city”
Mira Klein from the group “Smash IAA” criticized the police’s actions and justified her focus on Mercedes-Benz by saying that the company both produces climate-damaging cars and is a major profiteer from weapons production. “That’s why we see it as right to bring the protest directly into the city.” The activists wanted to “fight for their freedom of action”. According to the activists, they were not able to register the protest in front of the Mercedes Tower, said the spokeswoman.
Squatting as a protest against the handling of real estate
In addition, opponents of the IAA car and mobility trade fair blocked a street in Munich on Saturday and symbolically occupied an empty house. The aim is to protest against a system in which houses are empty as objects of speculation, there is a lack of apartments and open spaces, but public space is made available to car companies, said a spokeswoman for the “No Future for IAA” campaign alliance. This is “absolute audacity”. The police surrounded the blockade.
The approximately 100 activists blocked the side street near Munich’s Theresienwiese with human chains and sit-ins. Some climbed to the roof of the building and lit smoke pots there. They also hung a “Welcome to the Future” poster. Traffic was only minimally restricted by the protest.
More protests this weekend
The IAA will take place in Munich until Sunday. She is from Protests and actions by various groups accompanied. Two larger demonstrations are planned for Sunday.
With information from dpa