German Greens MP Sebastian Striegel experienced first-hand how dangerous blocking traffic for the climate can be.
When Striegel, a member of the State Parliament of Saxony-Anhalt, and a press representative went to visit a road blockaded by the radical environmentalist group Last Generation, they were hit by a motorist trying to circumvent the blockade.
Striegel and the local journalist sustained minor injuries in the incident on January 15, the police said.
The driver, who had tried to bypass six protestors who had glued themselves to the road by driving over the pavement, fled the scene but was apprehended about an hour later.
The green politician told news outlet dpa he was shocked, adding: “I have pain in my knee and leg, but it’s okay so far. It hurts a little and I’m going to the doctor to get it sorted out.”
According to the Greens press office, the politician was on site as a parliamentary observer.
“Whether it’s farmers’ protests or rallies for climate protection, no one has to share the concerns of protesters. But the decisive factor remains: no violence,” Striegel insisted.
He warned such could become “a danger to the life and limb of demonstrators and bystanders”.
After the protest, the police reportedly did have some trouble of removing the activists glued to the ground.
Somewhat ironically, in 2016 Striegel was involved in a car accident that saw him receive a €3,670 fine and having to surrender his driving licence for six months.
