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The cast is set to mark the start of the week of the “Stand Up for Change” campaign.
Environmental activists have occupied the Bundesplatz in Bern.
(sda) / gam. Climate activists have been occupying the Bundesplatz in Bern since early Monday morning. They want to stay there all week. The campaign marks the start of the “Stand Up for Change” campaign week. The Swiss climate movement wants to draw attention to your concerns. She had already announced several “non-violent civil disobedience actions” beforehand. It is still open whether the police will let the climate activists go.
The action on the Bundesplatz is not well received by politicians in the Federal Palace. In a joint letter, Isabelle Moret, president of the National Council, and Hans Stöckli, president of the Council of States, call on the city and the canton of Bern to ensure that the “current legal system” is implemented as quickly as possible. The event had not received a permit and was illegal. The functioning of the parliament and the safety of the council members must be guaranteed.
The council presidencies had already reminded the city of Bern in the morning that the federal council session must not be disturbed. Council members should be able to enter the Bundeshaus undisturbed.
Market vendors who sell their wares on Tuesdays in the Bundeshaus don’t enjoy the campaign either. Walter Stettler, president of the Berner Märit Association, told the Keystone-SDA news agency: If the climate activists did not vacate the space, they would face a claim for damages, because: “We need all the space for the 100 seats. »
Market drivers reject anywhere else. According to Stettler, this would lead to losses of up to 80 percent, “because customers would no longer find us.” Also, vegetables that have already been provided should be discarded.
City of Bern lets activists get away with it for the moment
Bern Mayor Alec Von Graffenried said in an interview with the Keystone-SDA news agency that he was shocked by the action. “We knew there would be a week of action,” von Graffenried said. “However, we did not expect such a march.” Bern city authorities have now sought a dialogue with climate activists and tried to find an amicable solution.
However, the first discussions have not yet yielded any results. The protesters were given the prospect of a permit to perform at the Schützenmatte for the entire week. In addition, the city is awaiting comments from activists on how the weekly market should take place at Bundesplatz. Until this response, the demonstration was tolerated, he said.
Bundesplatz climate strike: The first talks between the city of Bern and the Swiss Climate Strike movement remained open. The city insists on the proper functioning of public transport and the maintenance of emergency lanes. https://t.co/kKQOg9AijC @klimastreik
– City of Bern (@Bern_Stadt) September 21, 2020
The activists are very well organized and have indicated that they are willing to speak to the authorities. It is important that the operations of the session in the Federal Palace are not interrupted and that public transport is not affected. The weekly market on Tuesday must also be able to take place. “I see good ground for constructive discussions,” von Graffenried said. But: In principle, no demonstrations can be held on the Bundesplatz during the session. We have a problem.”
Climate activist Dominik Waser said they “don’t want to get into confrontation.” It is obvious that the occasion contradicts the prohibition of demonstrations during the sessions. Now it is a question of finding a friendly solution.
Climate activists have also set up numerous tents on the Bundesplatz.
Tents and chains
The activists had set up their base camp on Bundesplatz early in the morning from 4.30 am In no time, they set up several large tents, as witnesses reported. On the Bärenplatz side, the activists chained themselves to each other, blocking the connection of cars and buses. Municipal transport companies have been diverting their buses since then. Access to the Bundeshaus, where the last week of the Federal Assembly begins on Monday, is not blocked.
The Bern canton police want to report on the next steps during the day. Cantonal police did not want to confirm information about the number of participants and the extent of the protest at the moment. According to activists, several hundred people have gathered at the Bundesplatz since morning. Environmental mayor Alec von Graffenried had an idea of the situation at the site, as did CVP’s director of security, Reto Nause.
The “Climate Camp” is an expression of protest against the political and economic system responsible for the climate crisis, said the Swiss Climate Strike Association. Everyone is invited to join the protest in front of the Federal Palace.
Climate activists sing and make music on the Bundesplatz in Bern to kick off their week of “Stand Up for Change” action.
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