Chaos on the Nibelungen Bridge: Climate protest blocks traffic!

Chaos on the Nibelungen Bridge: Climate protest blocks traffic!

Nibelungenbrücke, Linz, Österreich - this day, June 3, 2025, there were considerable traffic disruptions on the Nibelungen Bridge in Linz. Between 7.35 a.m. and 8 a.m., six activists carried out an unannounced protest. Two participants stuck on the street, which quickly led to a chaos in early traffic. 5min.at reports that the police reacted immediately and redirected traffic. However, this measure did not ensure that the effects of the blockade were immediately eliminated. Public transport was particularly badly affected, since numerous bus lines had to be diverted via the Gleisstrasse.

Mayor Martin Hajart critically commented on protest and emphasized that the blockade not only endangers people's safety, but also put a lot of passengers and commuters in arrears. He also pointed out that activists took part in a party youth organization that campaigned for climate protection. The mayor found that such actions that hinder traffic ultimately also harm climate protection if the public is annoyed or restricted.

context of protesting

In the past two years, protest campaigns of climate activists, especially through the “Last Generation” alliance, have increased significantly. This group, which was founded in 2021, is one of the most influential climate movements in Germany. It achieves broad public attention through civil disobedience and spectacular actions. According to Tagesschau.de, 44% of people believe that faster measures in climate protection are required, although 85% reject the methods of the "last generation".

The survey results show a split public opinion about the effectiveness of these forms of protest. While some believe that such actions are necessary, many think that they are more negative reactions without being achieved. In addition, there are increasingly concerns that the radical forms of protest could dominate the discussion and the pressing concerns of the climate movement move into the background.

This dynamic becomes clear in the current protest campaign on the Nibelungen Bridge. A similar incident only recently occurred in Regensburg, where activists also clamped and thereby disturbed the after -work traffic considerably. According to [Mittelbayerische.de] (https://www.mittelbayerische.de/lokales/stadt-regensburg/nibelungenbruecke-ist-t-klima-Kleber-blockieren- Anlache-in-12146347), the campaign started around 4.30 p.m. and quickly led to a large backlog. Simon Lachner, a well -known face of the Regensburg group of the “last generation”, was taken into custody in another campaign and was still able to take part in today's protests.

The actions on the Nibelungen Bridge and the debates about them illustrate the complexity of climate activism and the balancing act between the necessary forms of protest and the public perception of the movement. The "last generation" and other groups similar to "Fridays for Future" continue to work to ensure that the topic of climate protection remains at the top of the political agenda.