Lisbon protesters dim lights to spotlight fossil fuel impact
Activists from the Climaximo organization are protesting against fossil fuels. They have frequently appeared on the streets of Lisbon and other Portuguese cities. This time, they decided to turn off the Christmas decorations in Lisbon. The police classified their action as vandalism.
According to the Polish Press Agency, an unusual environmental protest took place in the centre of Lisbon, Portugal. Activists from Climaximo, known for their radical environmental actions, temporarily shut off the Christmas lighting. The aim of the action was to draw attention to the problem of excessive use of fossil fuels, which activists say contributes to climate change.
The protest was held under the slogan "Climate Resistance" and involved turning off lights on the main streets of Lisbon, including those on the Christmas tree set up at Terreiro do Paço. Climaximo emphasized in a statement that their actions are a response to the catastrophic effects of climate change, such as the recent floods in Valencia, which claimed 250 lives.
According to PAP, the police in Lisbon confirmed that they have launched an investigation into the act, which has been classified as vandalism. Climaximo, known for its controversial methods, has been organizing protests regularly for three years, often ending in disrupting road traffic and destroying public property. In February this year, one activist splashed paint on the Prime Minister of Portugal, Luís Montenegro.
In September, a Lisbon court sentenced three members of Climaximo to one year in prison for aggressive behaviour during a demonstration. The sentence was converted to community service, but the activists had to pay fines for vandalism. Climaximo's actions evoke mixed feelings in society, but one cannot deny that they effectively draw attention to environmental issues.
Climate activists around the world are taking decisive action. They often justify them as a fight against the climate crisis, wanting to draw the attention of governments to the growing problems worldwide. Activists also vandalize works of art. In 2022, Just Stop Oil activists poured tomato soup over one of Van Gogh's "Sunflowers" paintings at the National Gallery. The court sentenced one person for property damage to two years in prison. On the day of the verdict, activists decided once again to destroy a painting.
