A total of 100 climate activists temporarily in police custody – environmental protection organization demands immediate release
GENEVA/Vienna (OTS) – Hundreds of climate activists from 17 countries who support Greenpeace, Stay Grounded, Extinction Rebellion, Scientist Rebellion and other climate justice groups have been killed after a peaceful protest at Europe’s largest private jet sales fair, the European Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (EBACE) in Geneva, provisionally arrested. They are still in police custody – including two activists from Lower Austria and Styria.
Activists report the use of pepper spray and injuries after the police operation. Greenpeace, Stay Grounded, Extinction Rebellion and Scientist Rebellion are deeply concerned about reports of excessive use of force against peaceful activists. They demand the immediate release of all those affected.
“A unique European coalition of 100 courageous activists from 17 countries today disrupted a super-rich elite’s excessive champagne party – Europe’s biggest private jet sales event. Their demand is unequivocal, private aviation belongs in the history books. We support the activists and call for their immediate release,” says Jasmin Duregger, climate and energy expert at Greenpeace Austria.
Shortly after the opening of EBACE, activists entered the exhibition grounds at Geneva Airport, where some 50 luxury private aircraft are on display. They chained themselves to the entrances to the private jets on display and banned health warnings on cigarette packages, calling for a ban on private planes.
The activists never entered or crossed the taxiways or landings and only used the access roads. This must in no way result in compromising the safety of flight operations.
The airport authorities (air traffic control and police) were immediately informed by the activists at the start of the peaceful action, and the activists were in constant contact to avoid any danger situation or misinterpretation of the scale and purpose of the ongoing action by the airport authorities.
High resolution photos and videos are available here:
https://media.greenpeace.org/collection/27MZIFJLAGWRE
Questions and contact:
duregger jasmine
Climate and energy specialist
Greenpeace in Austria
Tel: +43 (0) 664 840 3803
Email: [email protected]
Greenpeace International Press Office
Tel: +31 (0) 20718 2470
Email: [email protected] (24 hours)