Clinch with activists

Graz University Rector threatens “troublemakers” with legal action

A veritable dispute has broken out in the Styrian capital over the boundaries of civil protest.

(Bild: Krone KREATIV, Letzte Generation Österreich, Sepp Pail)

Horst Bischof's patience has now run out because they interrupted lectures and put up advertising stickers on campus buildings: The Rector of Graz University of Technology is threatening the Last Generation with consequences - opinions differ widely.

Climate protection instead of geometry: recently, members of the Last Generation repeatedly crashed courses at Graz University of Technology to warn of the consequences of the climate crisis. "The overwhelming majority of professors and students have responded positively to these initiatives," summarized those responsible in a press release on Wednesday.

Necessary debate or disruptive whining? The actions of the Last Generation are polarizing.

(Bild: Letzte Generation Österreich)

But not all of them. "The rector described our appeals as 'disruptive bluster' and is now threatening the committed students with civil and criminal legal action," the letter continues.

We have no sympathy for unwanted disruptions to university operations and damage to property in the course of these actions.

Uni-Rektor Horst Bischof

Criticism of "attempted intimidation"
For Anna Freund, spokesperson for the Last Generation and herself a student at TU Graz, this is a clear case of "attempted intimidation": "TU Graz is committed to sustainability and progress, and it is precisely here, at a university, that an open debate about shaping our future should be possible."

Anna Freund, 23, insists on an "open debate about shaping our future" - this should be possible at universities in particular.

(Bild: Lea Blagojevic)

Simon Marcher, who also took part in the actions, fears that the case could even lead to legal action: "Specifically, the rector is accusing us of disturbing property. The university director is also demanding more than 3,000 euros for the damage caused by the climate stickers. "For students, amounts like that threaten their very existence," says the 21-year-old. "I wouldn't have expected that from TU Graz."

Rector commits to climate protection
"TU Graz is committed to sustainability and climate protection and is therefore the first university in Austria to define a roadmap to be climate-neutral by 2030," says Rector Horst Bischof, commenting on the events.

The climate activists would have been allowed to present their messages - but before the lectures began and not during them. "We understand the concerns of the Last Generation and are open to an exchange," emphasizes Bischof. "However, we have no sympathy for any unwanted disruptions to university operations and damage to property that may occur in the course of these actions."