Climate activists have been tackling Christmas trees instead of artwork by spraying them orange in locations across Germany to highlight global warming.
Please report that huge Christmas trees in town squares and shopping centres across the country have been covered in orange paint, including the cities of Berlin, Oldenburg, Kiel, Leipzig, Rostock, Nuremberg and Munich.
In a statement obtained by CEN a spokesman for the Last Generation said: Amidst the flashing lights, shiny jewellery and festive atmosphere, it is easy to forget: we are racing full speed towards disaster and our governments that have been meeting in Dubai are failing to pull the emergency brake.”
They added: “We need to do everything we can together peacefully to prevent a world that is getting three degrees hotter.”
Among commentators largely united in criticism, accusing them of vandalism and having no respect for other people’s property. Some accuse them of being terrorists, with the demonstrations achieving nothing.
Attempts to clean the Christmas trees in Leipzig have so far failed, with a team of 12 working through the night to try and take apart the plastic tree and clean the branches and decorations before putting them back.
However, in most cases, they have been unable to move most of the orange colour, and lights that were sprayed with the paint have also had to be removed and replaced.
Head of the cleanup squad, Uwe Voigt, said the damage was simply too much, and it was unlikely anything could be done to rescue the tree before Christmas.
To buy a new Christmas tree would cost in the region of 20,000 as opposed to the current Christmas tree, which had been in use for ten years and probably could have been used for another ten years – until it was sprayed orange.
Police are investigating those responsible on charges of criminal damage.
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Story By: Michael Leidig, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency: Central European News
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