Was announced internally

Climate activists disrupt palm consecration in Eastern Styria

Climate activists used the palm blessing in Weiz as a stage for their concerns.(Bild: Letzte Generation Österreich)

Climate protest at Easter tradition: Supporters of the "Last Generation" protested at the traditional palm consecration in Weiz in Eastern Styria on Palm Sunday. The parish council was apparently in on it. The church was "largely behind the concerns and concerns" of the climate activists.

The traditional palm consecrations took place throughout Styria on Sunday. In Weiz this year, however, some visitors not only had palm bushes with them, but also banners and high-visibility vests: supporters of the "Last Generation" disrupted the palm consecration with a protest action for climate protection. 

"Did not want to prevent the action"
According to a statement from "Last Generation Austria", the parish council had been informed in advance. "This protest action was announced internally. We couldn't prevent it, because this is a public place and it's allowed to happen in a public place. We didn't want to prevent it either, because there is room for it. Because the church is largely behind the concerns and concerns of the last generation," the Weiz parish council and priest Toni Herk is quoted as saying. 

Activists turned up at the palm consecration in Weiz with high-visibility vests and banners.(Bild: Letzte Generation Österreich)

According to the activists, the aim of this action at a traditional event was to draw attention to the urgency of the climate catastrophe in order to preserve customs like this for the future. 

Climate activists used the palm consecration in Weiz as a stage for their cause.(Bild: Letzte Generation Österreich)

Activists see tradition under threat
"Our Easter traditions are sacred to us. They are part of our cultural heritage, which we want to pass on to our children. But what use are traditions if we jeopardize the future in which they are supposed to exist? It is time that we not only preserve traditions, but also shape a future worth living," says Bernhard Kogler-Sobl, who took part in the protest action.