2023-05-23 20:30:05
A total of one hundred climate activists temporarily in police custody – environmental protection organization demands immediate release
Geneva/Vienna (OTS) – Hundreds of climate activists from 17 countries who support Greenpeace, Stay Grounded, Extinction Rebellion, Scientist Rebellion and other climate justice groups have been killed following a peaceful protest at Europe’s largest private jet sales fair, the annual European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva, provisionally arrested. They are still in police custody – including two activists from Lower Austria and Styria.
The activists report the use of pepper spray and injuries following the police operation. Greenpeace, Stay Grounded, Extinction Rebellion, Scientist Rebellion are deeply concerned regarding the reports of excessive use of force once morest the peaceful activists. They demand the immediate release of all those affected.
“A unique European coalition of 100 brave activists from 17 countries today disrupted the excessive champagne party of a super-rich elite – Europe’s largest private jet sales event. Your demand is unequivocal, private aviation belongs in the history books. We support the activists and call for their immediate release,” says Jasmin Duregger, climate and energy expert at Greenpeace in Austria.
Shortly following the opening of EBACE, the activists entered the exhibition grounds at Geneva Airport, where around 50 luxury private aircraft are on display. They chained themselves to the entrances of the private jets on display and hand-banned health warnings on cigarette packs, demanding a ban on private planes.
The activists never entered or crossed the taxiways or runways and only used the access roads. This should in no way have resulted in an impairment of the safety of flight operations.
The airport authorities (air traffic control and police) were immediately informed by the activists at the beginning of the peaceful action, and the activists were in constant contact to avoid any dangerous situation or misinterpretation of the scale and purpose of the ongoing action by the airport authorities .
High-resolution photos and videos are available here:
Questions & contact:
Jasmin Duregger
Climate and energy expert
Greenpeace in Austria
Tel: +43 (0) 664 840 3803
E-Mail: jasmin.duregger@greenpeace.org
Greenpeace International press desk
Tel.: +31 (0) 20718 2470
E-Mail: pressdesk.int@greenpeace.org (24 hours)
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