Environmental activists hold a banner reading “It’s just the top of the Christmas tree” while chopping off the top of Berlin’s official Christmas tree in front of the Brandenburg Gate. Credit: Paul Zinken/dpa
Activists from the group Last Generation used a hydraulic lift to get to the top of the 15-meter-high Nordmann fir, decked out in lights and ornaments in one of Berlin’s most historic spots.
Two members on the platform unfurled a banner that read: “This is just the tip of the Christmas tree.”
They then used a hand saw to decapitate the top of the tree.
“We’re so far seeing only the tip of the underlying disaster in Germany,” said one of the activists, Lilli Gomez, in a statement.
“While all of Germany spends the week getting the best gifts from the biggest stores, others are wondering where they will get their water to drink after droughts and floods have destroyed their crops.”
Gomez continued: “Climate collapse in Germany is just around the corner and the federal government is making no effort to protect us.”
Police said they were on the scene and taking action against the protesters, but did not provide further details.
Since the beginning of the year, the Last Generation group has been blocking streets in Berlin and other major cities to fight for a radical change in climate change policy from the government.
In addition, there have been protest actions in museums, stadiums, ministries and at airports