Climate Activists Paint Private Jet Orange on German Island of Sylt

June 7, 2023

Kiel, Germany — Climate activists from the Last Generation initiative sprayed a private jet on the luxury German resort island of Sylt with orange paint on Tuesday and glued their hands to the aircraft.

Five people between the ages of 21 and 60 were involved, the police said. On Sunday, the initiative announced targeted protest actions against rich people for this week.

Last Generation said the climate catastrophe was "primarily caused by the rich" and that they wanted to draw attention to this.

In a written statement, the group said the fence at Sylt airport was cut in two places with bolt cutters. Those involved ran to the aircraft and sprayed the jet with bright paint. Banners were unfurled on the wings reading "Your Luxury = Our Drought" and "Your Luxury = Our Crop Failures."

Four people each attached one hand to the jet's wings and one person was attached to the tarmac in front of the aircraft.

Criminal investigations have been initiated.

A spokesman for Last Generation, Theodor Schnarr, criticized German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for delays in climate protection and said millionaires and billionaires contribute disproportionately to climate change.

The owners of private jets, limousines and super yachts would not voluntarily abandon them, so laws are needed to reduce these emissions, he said.

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