On Tuesday, a driver drove into a group of climate activists in Linz who were paralyzing early morning traffic as part of a protest by the organizations “Extinction Rebellion” and “Last Generation.” This was reported by Upper Austrian media, and a video of the incident is also circulating. When asked on Wednesday, the police confirmed that a complaint of assault and coercion had been filed. According to “Extinction Rebellion,” two activists were injured.
The video, which the APA has, shows how the driver slows down in front of the demonstrators but continues driving, even when they stand in his way. He sometimes takes them with him on the hood of the car. The video also shows how he then stops, gets out, argues loudly with the activists and films them.
When asked on Wednesday, the police spoke of a “collision” and that a climate activist had fallen onto the hood of the car. The police press office did not know whether the driver was known.
A spokesman for “Extinction Rebellion” told the APA that two people were injured – one slightly, one more seriously. The two were “physically OK, but traumatized by the violence.” Criminal charges have been filed. He vehemently denies that anyone threw themselves onto the hood of the car: “That is out of the question, you can see that in the video.”
According to the police, the rally by the organisations “Extinction Rebellion” and “Last Generation” was peaceful. The demonstrators blocked traffic at three locations and left the area on their own after a while.
