Climate fighters show their colors: mass protests against the IAA in Munich!

Climate fighters show their colors: mass protests against the IAA in Munich!

The waves are going up in Munich today: The International Motor Show (IAA) not only attracted crowds of visitors, but also attracted numerous critics. While car fans are looking forward to the latest technical chic, hundreds of climate activists are standing on the streets outside, demanding change. Two demonstrations have formed today, only a few hundred activists are gathering to draw attention to the grievances.

The first group primarily addresses the need to create more space for bicycles. Thorsten Kellermann from the Federal Nature Conservation Agency emphasizes that the potential of bicycle mobility must also be used more extensively in winter. “Traffic leads directly into the city center, which needs to be made more efficient,” says Kellermann. In addition, he calls for a ring railway that would usefully complement the existing S-Bahn system in Munich. This demand is also reflected in the speeches of the demonstrators, who criticize the car as a “sacred cow” that should no longer remain untouchable.

A peaceful protest with repercussions

According to the police, the demonstrations are largely peaceful, but not without friction: While some activists block Leopoldstrasse, leading to traffic delays that last for hours, others have to pay for not adhering to the formal guidelines. Proceedings were initiated against unknown people because no meeting leader could be identified at the unregistered meeting. Meanwhile, the police are present with around 2,500 officers to monitor and control the situation.

In Luitpoldpark, where a climate camp is also taking place, it becomes clear that the discussion about the IAA has deeper roots. One activist describes the fair as an “expression of capitalist madness” and calls on people to fight back. “Politics should serve the people and not the car lobby,” is a loud demand.

But the IAA is not just an issue for climate activists. The Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) is in favor of a constructive dialogue with regard to climate protection. According to their representatives, it is important that solutions are developed that do justice to both industry and the environment, without ideological trench warfare.

What does this mean for the future?

And what does this debate do to the general acceptance of mobility measures in Germany? A study by the Fraunhofer Institute shows that support for various measures depends heavily on political views. Green Party supporters in particular tend to be more open to environmentally friendly alternatives, which shows a clear trend in opinion formation. Many measures to transform transport are particularly popular in urban areas, which underlines the relevance of the current protest movement.

Today's actions are a clear sign that the call for a fairer transport policy and more bicycle mobility is very popular in Munich. It remains to be seen whether these voices will be heard or drown in the mass of political discussion.

The IAA will therefore not only be a showcase for the latest vehicle technology, but also the focus of social change that requires completely new dimensions of thinking about mobility and climate protection. Questions remain, and the answers must be put into action promptly.

For more information about the protests and their background, take a look at South Germans and Bavarian Radio as well as an interesting analysis of the Fraunhofer Institute over.