Federal Minister of Justice Marco Buschmann is against schools allowing climate protection activists of the group "Last Generation" lectures in classrooms. Several activists continued to commit crimes and repeatedly sowed skepticism about representative democracy, the FDP politician told the newspaper "Welt am Sonntag". Such ideas can be critically discussed and classified in class. "But no one who represents such ideas should be rolled out the red carpet in a school."
According to the newspaper, representatives of the "Last Generation" reported on Tuesday about plans to systematically approach students – especially in high school. Activists of the group regularly stick to the streets in protest to demand a change of course in the fight against the climate crisis.
The CDU also rejects possible appearances in schools. "Our schools must not be abused as a platform for a radical group whose members do not shy away from crime," said Thorsten Frei (CDU), parliamentary manager of the Union in the Bundestag. The members of the "Last Generation" had long since left the democratic discourse, so the group could not be a partner for schools.
"Countries must put a stop to this"
Federal Education Minister Bettina Stark-Watzinger (FDP) wrote on Twitter that it was right for young people to work for climate protection. "But they must not be recruited in school for illegal actions of the so-called last generation. The countries must put a stop to this."
Heinz-Peter Meidinger, President of the German Teachers' Association, sees the limit of what is permissible exceeded when "school administrations or teachers invite organizations and speakers to the school who explicitly promote participation in illegal actions and use the school as a recruitment scene, so to speak".
The group is planning massive road blockades and other protest actions in Berlin in the last week of April and into May. "From Monday, April 24, we will bring Berlin peacefully to a standstill through road blockades," the group's website says. Before that, a meeting was planned at the Brandenburg Gate.
The activists demand as immediate measures against the impending "climate collapse" a speed limit of 100 kilometers per hour on the German motorways as well as a permanent nine-euro ticket for bus and train.