Thousands blockade German gas plants and Alpine highways in escalating climate protests
Thousands blockade German gas plants and Alpine highways in escalating climate protests
Climate activists have launched coordinated protests across Germany and the Alps, targeting new gas infrastructure and cross-border freight traffic as part of a resurgent wave of direct action. In North Rhine-Westphalia, over 5,000 demonstrators—led by groups including *Fridays for Future* and *Ende Gelände*—blockaded construction sites for proposed gas power plants near Hamm, directly challenging Economy Minister Katherina Reiche’s energy policy. Police reported 12 arrests after activists chained themselves to machinery, while Reiche condemned the protests as "counterproductive" to Germany’s energy transition .
At the Brenner Pass, a critical Alpine transit route between Austria and Italy, thousands of residents and environmentalists staged a 12-hour highway blockade on Friday, demanding a shift of freight from road to rail. The protest, which drew an estimated 8,000 participants, forced the temporary closure of the A22 motorway until 19:00 local time. Organizers issued an ultimatum to authorities, warning of "permanent resistance" if demands for stricter emissions controls and expanded rail capacity are not met by September. Italian police are investigating a suspected arson attack on a nearby railway line, which protesters deny involvement in .
The protests mark a strategic pivot for Europe’s climate movement, which has struggled to regain momentum since the peak of *Fridays for Future* in 2019. *Ende Gelände*, known for high-profile coal mine occupations, framed the actions as a "comeback" for mass civil disobedience, with activists vowing to "make 2026 the year of climate resistance." The group’s spokesperson, Lena Bergmann, told reporters in Hamm that the focus on gas plants reflects a shift from symbolic protests to "direct confrontation with the fossil fuel industry’s last lifelines" . Meanwhile, Austrian and Italian transport ministers are scheduled to meet next week to discuss the Brenner Pass demands, though no concrete policy changes have been announced.
Thousands blockade German gas plants and Alpine highways in escalating climate protests
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Articles
El 80 del profesorado apoya mantener la huelga indefinida con un rechazo casi unánime a la subida salarial de Educación Los sindicatos que respaldan las protestas difunden los datos de una encuesta contestada por más de 30.000 personas Leer
elmundo · 7 days ago
Klimademo: Tausende Menschen demonstrieren in Westfalen gegen neue Gaskraftwerke Wirtschaftsministerin Katherina Reiche will neue Gaskraftwerke bauen. Dagegen haben Fridays for Future und andere Gruppen protestiert – überwiegend friedlich.
die zeit · 7 days ago
Mit Bahn und Rad zur Autobahn-Demo: Tausende bei Protest gegen Verkehrsflut am Brenner Am Brenner-Pass protestieren unerwartet viele Menschen gegen den starken Verkehr. Sie wollen auch in Zukunft nicht ruhen. mehr...
taz.de · 7 days ago
Brenner-Demo mit Ultimatum: Tausende Teilnehmer auf Autobahn Der Initiator des Protests ortete einen „historischen Moment und wartete mit einem Ultimatum auf.
die presse · 7 days ago
Brennerautobahn: Wichtiger Alpenpass nach Demosperre wieder offen An der Brennerautobahn haben Tausende Anwohner gegen die hohe Verkehrsbelastung und für mehr Schienenverkehr demonstriert. Jetzt ist der Pass wieder offen.
die zeit · 7 days ago
Klimaprotest von „Ende Gelände: Die Klimabewegung versucht ihr Comeback Lützerath und der Boom von Fridays for Future – eine halbe Ewigkeit her. Jetzt treffen sich Klimaaktivisten in Hamm mal wieder zu größeren Blockaden und einer Demo. Ihr neuestes Feindbild: Wirtschaftsministerin Reiche. Und ein Stargast ist auch dabei.
sueddeutsche · 7 days ago
Brennerautobahn: Verkehrschaos bei Protesten am Brenner bleibt aus An der Brennerautobahn in Österreich haben Tausende Anwohner gegen die hohe Verkehrsbelastung protestiert. Sie forderten, Güter auf Zügen zu transportieren.
die zeit · 7 days ago
Brennero, riapre lautostrada chiusa per manifestazione. Sabotata la ferrovia: pista eco-anarchica" Le previsioni, dovute anche al ponte in Italia e al rientro dalle feste di Pentecoste in Austria, hanno spinto in molti, tra turisti e trasportatori, a spostare i viaggi. Camperisti diretti soprattutto verso il Garda e il litorale veneto, hanno anticipato di un giorno la partenza per il 2 giugno
corriere · 7 days ago
Brennero, bloccato il traffico: resterà chiuso fino alle 19. Incendio doloso sulla linea ferroviaria Le previsioni, dovute anche al ponte in Italia e al rientro dalle feste di Pentecoste in Austria, hanno spinto in molti, tra turisti e trasportatori, a spostare i viaggi. Camperisti diretti soprattutto verso il Garda e il litorale veneto, hanno anticipato di un giorno la partenza per il 2 giugno
corriere · 7 days ago