A parade of artists and cultural workers for climate justice with 9 international activist street bands
StreetNoise plays in solidarity with the Last Generation
The Streetnoise Orchestra supported the Last Generation at the end of their first Vienna Action Week 2023.
We followed the invitation of the coordination group to accompany the occupation of a large crossing early in the morning with our musical presence. At this point in time, the Last Generation had national attention in Austria and Germany with their form of direct non-violent action, the traffic blockade. As is well known, non-violent resistance consists of sit-ins on main roads, in which the activists super-glue their hands on the street to prevent the crossing of cars in an attempt to raise awareness of the climate crisis.
We call upon the Austrian federal government to take their own climate goals seriously. Limit the speed limit on the autobahn to 100km/h. Introduce affordable public transport across the entire country. Maintain the commitment to exit fossil fuels in the next decades.
The situation on Friday morning, January 13 at half past seven in the morning is unusual for us. When we get to the scene, a few dozen police officers are already standing opposite the seated and glued-to-the-street activists with banners. The press is also represented in large numbers. Will the routine clearing up of the protests by the police be delayed by our loud and unexpected arrival? We play unmolested for about 5 minutes until a cyclist assaults us and the police break up our 'gathering'.
After an hour, it's all over and coverage of the action starts appearing in the media and social media.
In the evening we end a long day with a set at Fania Live.
Many thanks to Chris, Kelly and Chrissi for the logistical support!
