VIDEO: Climate Activists Got Removed from Racetrack After Gluing Hands to the Surface

Published 08/10/2023, 10:23 AM EDT

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Picture an electric car race, Formula E, all set to commence in Berlin. But hold on–a surprise emerges! Climate protesters suddenly occupy the track, causing an unexpected delay. The irony of this protest didn’t escape people’s attention. Formula E, in fact, is all about making racing sustainable. Is there more to this protest than what meets the eye? Let’s find out by exploring a different scenario.

Protesters with a purpose: raising awareness for climate issues

Last Generation is a climate activism group from Germany. They remained the focus of this protest, which happened during the Berlin E-Prix. The Last Generation is known for its unconventional protests. Precedents like throwing soup at art, and adhering hands to several art installations, just to gain attention seem to be their MO. Unusual, as it may seem, their commitment to their cause, however, cannot be questioned. So resolute that this is not the first time that they’ve glued themselves onto oncoming traffic. They’ve previously glued themselves to the highways to attract attention.

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Now, let’s delve into the world of Formula E. This racing series features electric cars, making the interruption seem even more perplexing. However, here’s the twist: Last Generation had orchestrated a series of protests across Germany during that particular weekend. Formula E happened to be one of their targets. Given the race’s considerable viewership, it served as an ideal platform for their message. Of course, needless to say, had it been the E-Prix’s F1 counterpart in the Hockenheim, their efforts would have made a little more sense.

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Had the event been the Olympics or a significant poker tournament, Last Generation might have executed a similar plan. The focus wasn’t solely on the race being electric; rather, it was about leveraging the event’s visibility as a means of spreading its message. Interestingly, the Berlin E-Prix, while portraying an eco-friendly image, boasts a main sponsor associated with an oil company – an ironic contradiction.

Nevertheless, the group got what they wanted but an interesting debate comes out of it.

A peculiar victory?

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At present, people criticize the protests by Last Generation, labeling them as confused or frivolous. Nevertheless, their objective of generating discussions and garnering attention is indeed being achieved.

Intriguingly, a viral video has circulated, capturing organizers and race stewards grappling with glued protesters on the track. The scene resembles a real-life tug of war, underscoring the determined efforts on both sides.

In this unexpected turn of events, Formula E experienced an unforeseen disruption, while the issue of climate change gained renewed attention. While the approach might appear unconventional, it underscores the effectiveness of employing unorthodox methods to convey important messages.

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What do you make of the video and the ethical implications of their cause and acts? Let us know in the comments section below.

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Written by:

Anirudh

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Anirudh Kidambi covers Viral Sports Moments at EssentiallySports, and has been an avid writer for over 3 years. Apart from following Formula 1, eSports and cricket, he loves to read and swim whenever he gets the chance to. If you don’t see him in front of his laptop writing, gaming or watching movies, you can find him actively participating in local quiz clubs.
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Edited by:

Amal Joyce