Berlin/Munich (dpa/lby) – The head of the CSU state group in the Bundestag, Alexander Dobrindt, calls for tougher penalties for climate activists. “We urgently need tougher penalties for these climate chaotic people to counteract further radicalization of this scene and to deter imitators,” he told the “Bild” (Wednesday). “Anyone who willfully destroys or endangers others should not only face fines but also imprisonment.”

The Bavarian police union also condemned activists “who, with their irresponsible actions, accept the endangerment of the general public and endangering human life,” as its state chairman Peter Pytlik explained. “Freeway blockades and sticking campaigns as well as supposed “raising awareness” by damaging someone else’s property is not socially acceptable even under the guise of “activism” and misses the goal of standing up for climate protection.”

Jesuit Father Jörg Alt, who recently took part in the climate protest, defended the actions: “Otherwise politicians wouldn’t hear us,” he told the “Nürnberger Nachrichten” (Tuesday). “The state government is forcing us to protest because of their inadequate and wrong actions in the face of the climate catastrophe.”