Police foil disruption to start of Berlin marathon by climate demonstrators | Abroad

Sep 24, 2023 at 10:56 am

Shortly before the start of the Berlin Marathon, police removed demonstrators who wanted to sit on the road. This happened at the starting point of the marathon route at the Brandenburg Gate.

The protest movement Gruppe Letzte Generation had announced that it wanted to disrupt the marathon as a climate protest. The group has been blocking roads in the German capital for some time now.

The mayor of Berlin had called on demonstrators not to disrupt the marathon. “I don’t even want to think about it: a disruptive action could even prevent a world record in the marathon,” Mayor Wegner said on Saturday. Last year, Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge set a world record in Berlin and he will participate again on Sunday.

There are almost 48,000 participants in the race this year, more than ever in Berlin. According to the mayor, a disruption by the climate group would “make many Berliners very angry.”

A week ago, members of the group smeared the Brandenburg Gate with orange paint. According to the municipality, the cleaning will cost at least 35,000 euros.

Sep 23, 2023 at 10:11 am

Berlin calls on climate demonstrators not to disrupt Sunday’s marathon

Sep 18, 2023 at 11:53 am

Climate activists in Berlin begin series of roadblocks during rush hour

Image: ANP

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