Climate protest in Lisbon: Activists turn off holiday lights
Activists from the Climaximo organisation are protesting against fossil fuels. They have frequently appeared on the streets of Lisbon and other Portuguese cities. This time, they decided to turn off the Christmas decorations in Lisbon. The police have classified their action as vandalism.
According to the Polish Press Agency, an unusual environmental protest occurred in Lisbon, Portugal. Activists from Climaximo, known for their radical environmental actions, temporarily switched off the Christmas lighting. The action aimed to draw attention to the excessive use of fossil fuels, which activists say contribute to climate change.
The protest was held under the slogan "Climate Resistance" and involved turning off lights on Lisbon’s main streets, including those on the Christmas tree at Terreiro do Paço. Climaximo emphasised in a statement that their actions are a response to the catastrophic effects of climate change, such as the recent floods in Valencia, which claimed 250 lives.
According to PAP, the police in Lisbon have confirmed that they have launched an investigation into the act, which has been classified as vandalism. Climaximo, known for its controversial methods, has been organising protests regularly for three years, often ending in disruption of road traffic and damage to public property. In February this year, one activist splashed paint on the Prime Minister of Portugal, Luís Montenegro.
In September, a Lisbon court sentenced three members of Climaximo to one year in prison for aggressive behaviour during a demonstration. The sentence was converted to community service, but the activists were required to pay fines for vandalism. Climaximo's actions evoke mixed feelings in society, but one cannot deny that they effectively draw attention to environmental issues.
Climate activists around the world are taking decisive action. They often justify them as a fight against the climate crisis, hoping to draw the attention of governments to the growing problems worldwide. Activists have also vandalised works of art. In 2022, Just Stop Oil activists poured tomato soup over one of Van Gogh's Sunflowers paintings at the National Gallery. The court sentenced one person for property damage to two years in prison. On the day of the verdict, activists once again attempted to destroy a painting.
