Paint Vandalism on 'Unified Germany' Symbol: "Stop Using Fossil Fuels"

German Climate Group "Government Needs to Address Climate Change"
Paint Sprayed with Fire Extinguisher on Brandenburg Gate Pillars

Climate activists in Germany were detained after protesting by spraying orange paint on the Berlin Brandenburg Gate, well known as a symbol of reunification.

Last Generation activists throwing paint on the Brandenburg Gate in Germany.
[Photo by Last Generation X]

According to the New York Post and others on the 17th (local time), activists from the German environmental group 'Last Generation' used fire extinguishers to spray orange paint on the pillars of the Berlin Brandenburg Gate and the square's ground that morning.

They argued that the German government must take urgent measures to stop all fossil fuel use by 2030 to prevent climate change and lower speed limits on highways.

Last Generation also left messages on X such as "Sailing towards justice away from fossil fuels" and "We will not rest until this issue is resolved."

Orange-painted Brandenburg Gate in Germany.
[Photo by Majimak Sedae X]

Police who arrived at the scene closed off the area around the Brandenburg Gate and detained 14 Last Generation activists. They are reportedly being investigated on charges of intentional property damage that endangers public safety.

Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner criticized Last Generation's actions as exceeding legitimate forms of protest, stating, "With this activity, the group has undermined free discourse not only about the historic Brandenburg Gate but also about important issues of our time and future."

Meanwhile, Last Generation activists have previously attracted attention by spraying black paint on German constitutional monuments and major buildings, as well as by occupying roads by gluing their bodies to asphalt in protests.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.