Starve until you are honest climate hunger strike, Berlin, Germany

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Coordinates: 52°31′45″N 13°22′33″E / +52.52905°N +13.37588°E / +52.52905; +13.37588
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Starve until you are honest
Hungern bis ihr ehrlich seid
Date2024
Location
Berlin, Germany

52°31′45″N 13°22′33″E / +52.52905°N +13.37588°E / +52.52905; +13.37588
GoalsClimate protection
MethodsHunger strike protest and camp
StatusAs of 13 May 2024, ongoing
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hungern bis ihr ehrlich seid.
Tally board at the earlier Spreebogenpark hunger strike camp in Berlin to protest inadequate action by the German government on climate protection
Environmental engineer Wolfgang Metzeler-Kick during the 48th day of his hunger strike

Starve until you are honest (original German: Hungern bis ihr ehrlich seid) is an ongoing hunger strike and camp in Berlin, Germany in mid‑2024 that also serves as a meeting point for climate activists.[1][2] The hunger strikers are calling on German Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz to recognize the severity of scientific consensus on climate change by issuing an official policy statement [Regierungserklärung] that reacts accordingly.[3]

The hunger strike itself began on 7 March 2024 but was preceded by other events. The protest camp was erected on 25 March in Spreebogenpark, Berlin — in view of the German chancellor's residence or Bundeskanzleramt. On 29 April 2024, the camp was required to move to Invalidenpark, Berlin.[4]

Established media are reporting that some of the hunger strikers are entering life‑threatening states through lack of nutrition.[5] The longest striker has been without food for approximately 67 days.[5][a]

As of 13 May 2024, the protest action remains active.

Background[edit]

On 26 February 2024, activists blocked an intersection in Siemensstadt, Berlin in front of the de:Heizkraftwerk Reuter West coal‑fired CHP power station.[6] The start of the campaign alliance Hungern bis ihr ehrlich seid was announced on that day.[7] On 1 March 2024, the alliance confronted Transport Minister Volker Wissing with the negative effects of current transport policy on the climate at an event in Karlsruhe.[8] On 7 March 2024, representatives of the alliance handed over a letter with their demands to Olaf Scholz at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin.[9] That handover was accompanied by a symbolic protest in which activist Wolfgang Metzeler‑Kick stood on a block of ice with a noose around his neck in front of the Federal Chancellery. This protest was intended to illustrate the urgency of the climate crisis.[10] On that same day, Wolfgang Metzeler-Kick became the first activist to commence an indefinite hunger strike.[11][12]

Demands[edit]

The strikers and their supporters (also "campaign alliance" or "alliance") are calling for a government declaration by Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz in which four aspects of the scientific consensus on climate change must be recognized.[3]

The campaign alliance has formulated these points and refers to scientific publications, including by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), in its justification.[3] The threat to human civilization from the climate crisis, the CO2 content in the air and the need for political change are to be named.[3] The alliance is not pursuing other goals. According to the alliance, the hunger strike will end the moment the federal government issues a declaration in line with these demands.[4]

Evolution of the protest[edit]

As of 11 May 2024, four activists from the action alliance are on hunger strike.[13][14][15]

On 24 March 2024, activists from Hungern bis ihr ehrlich seid held a vigil in front of the Federal Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe. Germany. They referred to the judgement of the Federal Constitutional Court made three years earlier to that day that the temperature limits set in the Paris Climate Agreement are constitutionally binding,[16] and called for a climate policy that conforms to the constitution.[17]

The alliance has been running a protest camp since 25 March 2024.[18][17] In the first weeks, it was located in Spreebogenpark in the government district, near to Paul Löbe Haus and the Bundeskanzleramt.[19] The camp then moved to Invalidenpark, some 15 minute away by foot. The reason for this relocation was the expiry of the previous notice of assembly,[19] as a de:fan mile was planned in the immediate vicinity of the first location as part of the European Football Championship celebrations.[11][19] { The climate activists demonstrated this relocation with so‑called "slow walks" through the government district, while some protesters wore skeleton costumes.[11][19]

Reactions[edit]

Political reactions[edit]

Deputy government spokesperson Christiane Hoffmann said on 3 April 2024 that Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz was concerned that people had gone on hunger strike.[20] Government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit stated at a press conference on 8 April 2024 that the government would not respond to the individual demands of the campaign alliance.[21]

Ferat Koçak, a state politician from Die Linke party and member of the Berlin House of Representatives, declared his solidarity with the alliance on 18 April 2024.[22] Three days later, Koçak published a video statement on his social media profile in support of the demands of Hungern bis ihr ehrlich seid and called for an urgent change in climate policy.

Maiken Winter, district councillor for the Ecological Democratic Party in Weilheim-Schongau, supports the campaign's demands [3] and organised a vigil in front of the Landratsamt Weilheim to draw attention to the demands of the hunger strikers.[23] She also published an interview on her YouTube channel with her brother Michael Winter, who was the third activist to go on indefinite hunger strike on 16 April 2024.[11]

Reaction from scientists[edit]

Notable scientists who have publicly supported the hunger strike include climate researcher Hans Joachim Schellnhuber,[9][24] geophysicist Bernhard Steinberger,[25] and physicist Eicke Weber.[26]

Scientists active in Scientist Rebellion also support the demands of hunger strikers.[25] Over 30 people joined the symbolic protest of solidarity fasting and abstained from food for two days at a time.[9]

On 6 May 2024, Scientists for Future Germany published a statement on the demands of the hunger strikers.[26] And note that the demands for a government declaration on climate protection are "scientifically sound and reasonable". But more than 100 signatories declared that, while they share and support the campaign's concerns, they judge a hunger strike to be an "inappropriate form of protest".[27]

Reaction by civil society[edit]

In March 2024, 18 local groups of Parents for Future sent an open letter to German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in which they took up the demands of the hunger strikers for a government policy statement and called on the Federal President to bring this to the attention of the Federal Chancellor.[28][18]

Psychologists/Psychotherapists for Future released a statement in April 2024 that it shared the demands of the climate strikers, but distanced itself from hunger striking as a form of protest. The co‑initiator of the association, Lea Dohm, made the same statement at a campaign alliance press conference on 7 May 2024.[5]

In early May 2024, the Last Generation Austria supported the hunger strikers with a vigil in front of the German Embassy in Vienna,[29] and a demonstration in front of the Austrian Parliament.

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ This count is for full days completed. Hunger strikes are often publicized as being in their "nth day", thus always one count higher than the days completed. Note too that the Wikipedia day counting algorithm increments on midnight per Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) and not Central European Time, thus leading to periodic discrepancy relative to local time once each day.

External links[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Baur, Jonas (7 March 2024). "Hungerstreik fürs Klima: "Was kann ich noch machen?"" [Hunger strike for the climate: "What else can I do?"]. Die Tageszeitung (taz) (in German). Berlin, Germany. ISSN 0931-9085. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  2. ^ Basay, Erbil (9 April 2024). "German climate activists continue hunger strike in Berlin". Anadolu Agency (AA). Ankara, Turkey. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Demands". Starve until you are honest. n.d. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  4. ^ a b Anon (29 April 2024). ""Hungern bis ihr ehrlich seid": Klimaaktivisten verlegen ihr Hungerstreik-Camp in Berlin" [‘Starve until you are honest’: climate activists relocate their hunger strike camp in Berlin]. www.t-online.de (in German). Germany. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  5. ^ a b c Haarbach, Madlen (7 May 2024). "Klimaprotest im Berliner Invalidenpark: Hungerstreikender in "sehr kritischem Zustand"" [Climate protest in Berlin's Invalidenpark: hunger striker in "very critical condition"]. Tagesspiegel (in German). Berlin, Germany. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  6. ^ Peter, Erik (27 March 2022). "Blockade von Kraftwerk in Berlin: Kohle als gemeinsamer Gegner" [Blockade of power plant in Berlin: coal as a common opponent]. Die Tageszeitung (taz) (in German). Berlin, Germany. ISSN 0931-9085. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  7. ^ Anon. "Starve until you are honest". Starve until you are honest. Berlin, Germany. Retrieved 11 May 2024. English language part.
  8. ^ Anon (1 March 2024). "Confrontation protest March 01.03.2024st, XNUMX — Press release". Starve until you are honest. Berlin, Germany. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  9. ^ a b c Baur, Jonas (8 April 2024). "Hungerstreik für Regierungserklärung: 30 Personen verzichten auf Essen" [Hunger strike for government statement: 30 people go without food]. Die Tageszeitung (taz) (in German). Berlin, Germany. ISSN 0931-9085. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  10. ^ Anon (8 March 2024). "Berlin: Klima-Aktivist wirft sich Galgen um Hals — Aktion zu Hungerstreik" [Berlin: Climate activist throws gallows around his neck — hunger strike action]. www.t-online.de (in German). Germany. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  11. ^ a b c d Kastner, Bernd (29 April 2024). "Hungerstreik in Berlin: Aktivisten hungern für Klima-Aussage von Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz" [Hunger strike in Berlin: activists starve for Chancellor Olaf Scholz's climate statement]. Süddeutsche.de (in German). Munich, Germany. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  12. ^ Bilan, Clemens (10 April 2024). "Germany climate protest hunger strike". datum.net. Retrieved 11 May 2024. Also in Chinese.
  13. ^ Förster, Nina (26 April 0224). "Klimaaktivisten im Hungerstreik: Dieser Mann isst nichts mehr bis Olaf Scholz auf ihn hört" [Climate activists on hunger strike: this man won't eat until Olaf Scholz listens to him]. Stuttgarter Nachrichten (in German). Stuttgart, Germany. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  14. ^ Sydow, R (26 April 2024). Berlin: Hungern fürs Klima — Die ganze Doku [Berlin: Starving for the climate - The whole documentary] (webcast) (in German). Strasbourg, France: Arte. Retrieved 11 May 2024. Webcast 00:02:24.
  15. ^ Meier, Friederike (7 May 2024). "Im Hungerstreik für das Klima: "Ich riskiere mein Leben"" [On hunger strike for the climate: ‘I'm risking my life’]. Frankfurter Rundschau (in German). Frankfurt, Germany. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  16. ^ "Bundesverfassungsgericht — Constitutional complaints against the Federal Climate Change Act partially successful — Press Release No 31/2021". German Constitutional Court. Karlsruhe, Germany. 29 April 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2024. Official translation.
  17. ^ a b Anon (25 March 2024). "Karlsruhe: Mahnwache vor dem Bundesverfassungsgericht" [Karlsruhe: Vigil in front of the Federal Constitutional Court]. Badische Neueste Nachrichten (in German). Karlsruhe, Germany. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  18. ^ a b Braungart, Eva Maria (25 March 2024). "Hungerstreik im Berliner Regierungsviertel: Weiterer Klimaaktivist zieht nach" [Hunger strike in Berlin's government district: another climate activist follows suit]. Berliner Zeitung. Berlin, German. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  19. ^ a b c d dpa (29 April 2024). "Invalidenpark: Klima-Hungerstreik: Camp vom Kanzleramt umgezogen" [Invalidenpark: Climate hunger strike: camp moved from the Chancellery]. Zeit Online (in German). Hamburg, Germany. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  20. ^ dpa (3 April 2024). "Reichstagsgebäude: Zwei Klimaaktivisten wollen Hungerstreik fortsetzen" [Chancellors office: two climate activists want to continue their hunger strike]. Zeit Online (in German). Hamburg, Germany. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  21. ^ Schellenberg, Alisa (21 April 2024). "Hungern gegen den Bundeskanzler" [Hunger against the Federal Chancellor]. Zeit Online (in German). Hamburg, Germany. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  22. ^ Anon (18 April 2024). "Solidarität mit den Klimaaktivist*innen im Hungerstreik!" [Solidarity with the climate activists on hunger strike!]. Ferat Koçak (MdA) (in German). Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  23. ^ "Der Bruder von Maiken Winter hungert fürs Klima" [Maiken Winter's brother is starving for the climate]. Ammersee Kurier (in German). 2 May 2024. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  24. ^ dpa (7 May 2024). ""Ich möchte gern noch weiter hungern": Das sind die Gründe für den Hungerstreik der Klimaaktivisten" [I would like to go on starving‘: These are the reasons for the climate activists' hunger strike]. www.t-online.de (in German). Germany. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  25. ^ a b Anon (3 April 2024). "Hungerstreik im Berliner Regierungsviertel: Weitere Wissenschaftler schließen sich Klimaprotest an" [Hunger strike in Berlin's government district: more scientists join climate protest]. Der Tagesspiegel Online (in German). Berlin, Germany. ISSN 1865-2263. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  26. ^ a b Anon (6 May 2024). "Stellungnahme von Scientists For Future-Aktiven zu Klima-Forderungen der Hungerstreikenden im Regierungsviertel" [Statement by Scientists For Future activists on the climate demands of the hunger strikers in the government district]. Scientists for Future Deutschland (in German). Berlin, Germany. Retrieved 11 May 2024. Open access icon
  27. ^ Benz, Anton (7 May 2024). "Hungerstreik fürs Klima: Aktivist in Gesundheitsgefahr" [Hunger strike for the climate: activist's health at risk]. nd-aktuell.de (in German). Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  28. ^ Julke, Ralf (26 March 2024). "18 Parents for Future Ortsgruppen schreiben offenen Brief an Steinmeier: Wir brauchen eine ehrliche Klimadebatte" [18 Parents for Future local groups write open letter to Steinmeier: we need an honest climate debate]. Leipziger Zeitung (in German). Leipzig, Germany. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
  29. ^ Anon (2 May 2024). "Letzte Generation will auf Hungerstreikende aufmerksam machen" [Last Generation wants to draw attention to hunger strikers]. 5MIN.AT (in German). Austria. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
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