Starving for honesty climate hunger strike, Berlin, Germany explained

Starving for honesty
Subtitle:Hungern bis ihr ehrlich seid
Date:2024
Place:Berlin, Germany
Coordinates:52.529°N 13.3759°W
Methods:Hunger strike protest and camp
Status:Action ended on 13June 2024

Starving for honesty (original German: Hungern bis ihr ehrlich seid and abbreviated: HE!) was a hunger strike and protest camp in Berlin, Germany in mid2024 that also served as a meeting point for climate activists.[1] The hunger strikers called on German Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz to recognize the severity of scientific consensus on climate change by issuing an official policy statement or Regierungserklärung that reacts accordingly.[2]

The hunger strike began on 7March 2024, with strikers joining one after the other,[3] until a total of eight people had joined the strike.[4] The original protest camp was erected on 25March in Spreebogenpark, Berlin in view of the German chancellor's residence or Bundeskanzleramt. On 29April, the camp was required to move to Invalidenpark, Berlin.

The two longest strikers, Wolfgang Metzeler-Kick and Richard Cluse, went without solid food for 92 and 77days respectively.[4] [5] On 27May, the medical team of Metzeler-Kick described his medical condition as lifethreatening and withdrew support on legal grounds.[6] Metzeler-Kick was hospitalized on 3June but returned to the camp the same day after his condition had stabilized.[3] [7] On 6June, he announced he would suspend his hunger strike. All remaining hunger strikers ended their action on 13 June.[4]

Background

On 26February 2024, activists blocked an intersection in Siemensstadt, Berlin in front of the Heizkraftwerk Reuter West coal‑fired CHP power station.[8] On 7March, representatives of the alliance handed over a letter with their demands to Olaf Scholz at the Federal Chancellery in Berlin. That handover was accompanied by a symbolic protest in which Wolfgang (Wolli) Metzeler‑Kick, an engineer and activist who had previously drawn attention as a member of the Last Generation group,[9] stood on a block of ice with a noose around his neck in front of the Federal Chancellery. This action was intended to illustrate the urgency of the climate crisis.[10] On that same day, Metzeler-Kick became the first activist to commence an indefinite hunger strike.[11]

The strikers reportedly limited themselves to a maximum of of fruit or vegetable juice per day, plus vitamin supplements and electrolyte powder.[12] Metzeler‑Kick refused juice in the latter part of his strike and as a result his blood sugar levels became critically low.

Demands

The strikers and their supporters were calling for a government policy statement that explicitly recognizes the current scientific consensus on climate change.[2] The alliance stated:[2]

The last three points are backed by references to the scientific literature and reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

The alliance was not pursuing other goals besides the ones above. According to the alliance, the hunger strike was to end the moment the Federal Government issued a declaration in line with these aspirations.[13] In press release from 3June 2024, the group said that it would simplify its demands, including dropping its demand regarding recognition by Chancellor Scholz of particular values,[14] instead asking for an acknowledgement that there was no remaining carbon budget.[15]

Evolution of the protest

On 24March 2024, activists from the campaign alliance held a vigil in front of the Federal Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe.[16] They referred to the judgement of the Federal Constitutional Court made three years earlier to that day that declared certain provisions of the Federal Climate Change Act unconstitutional, and that required the emission reduction monitoring after 2030 to be revised.[17] [18]

The alliance ran a protest camp in Berlin, registered as a long-term rally with authorities,[9] from 25March 2024.[19] In the first five weeks, it was located in Spreebogenpark in the government district, near the Bundeskanzleramt.[20] The camp was then moved to Invalidenpark on 29April. The reason for this relocation was the expiry of the previous notice of assembly[20] and the fact that a"fan mile" was planned in that vicinity as part of the celebrations for the 2024European Football Championship.[20] The climate activists demonstrated against this relocation with so‑called "slowwalks" through the government district with some protesters wearing skeleton costumes.[20]

The protest action began with 49year-old environmental engineer Wolfgang Metzeler‑Kick commencing his hunger strike on 7March 2024.[3] On 25March, 57year-old engineer Richard Cluse joined the strike.[21] On 30April, a 35year-old known only as Tin began. They were treated in hospital on 15May after losing consciousness but later discharged themselves to continue with their strike.[22] On 16May, 41year-old Titus Feldmann joined the hunger strike. On 18May, 61year-old Michael Winter ended his strike after 31days.[23] [24] Winter had earlier been treated in the emergency department at Schwabing Hospital, Munich with medical complications, following his admission to the clinic on 15May.[23] On 21May, Tin abandoned their hunger strike.[25]

Metzeler-Kick was hospitalized on 3 June. In the morning of that day, he had announced his intention to go into a dry hunger strike.[3] He returned to the protest camp later that day after his condition had stabilized.[7] On 6 June he stated that he intended to suspend his hunger strike.[9]

The medical team in Berlin overseeing the hunger strike of Winter had earlier withdrawn support due to his deteriorating health status and his personal desire to continue.[26] The doctors treating Winter must act in accordance with German medical law. The wishes of the subject and his treatment imperatives are counter, such that the medical team can no longer provide care and fulfill their legal and ethical obligations.[26] At that point, Winter had been without food for approximately 27days.[26]

The medical team overseeing the hunger strike of Metzeler‑Kick withdrew their professional support on 27May 2024. Susanne Koch, a member of the medical team at the site, said in a video statement that collapse could happen at any time. At that point, Metzeler‑Kick had been without food for approximately 81days.[27] [6]

On 13 June 2024, the alliance announced that its hunger strike had ended, acknowledging that the action had not reached its objective. Scholz, it said in the same statement, preferred to talk about "fighting the symptoms" of the climate crisis. It also criticized the media for scant reporting and for "mostly" rendering its demands wrongly, and called for acts of sabotage by activists.[4]

Reactions

Official reactions

Deputy government spokesperson Christiane Hoffmann said on 3April 2024 that Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz was concerned that people had gone on hunger strike.[28] Government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit stated at a press conference on 8April that the government would not respond to the individual demands of the campaign alliance;[29] the chancellery said in early May that this position had not changed.[21] On 24May, Scholz publicly called on the activists to end their hunger strikes,[30] and repeated this call on 26and 30May.[31] [32] [33]

Other political reactions

On 15May 2024, Carola Rackete, the leading Die Linke candidate for the 2024 European elections, expressed support for the hunger strikers but remained skeptical that Chancellor Scholz would react to their demands.[22]

Maiken Winter, district councillor for the Ecological Democratic Party in Weilheim-Schongau, participated in a vigil in front of the Landratsamt Weilheim to draw attention to the demands of the hunger strikers,[34] who included her brother as the third activist to go on indefinite hunger strike on 16April 2024.[35] [36]

Reactions from scientists

Notable scientists who have publicly supported the demands of the hunger strikers include climate researcher Hans Joachim Schellnhuber,[37] [38] geophysicist Bernhard Steinberger,[39] and physicist Eicke Weber.[40]

Scientists active in Scientist Rebellion also supported the demands of hunger strikers.[39] Over 30people joined the symbolic protest of solidarity fasting, and abstained from food for two days at a time.[37]

On 6May 2024, Scientists for Future Germany published a statement on the demands of the hunger strikers.[41] and noted that the demands for a government declaration on climate protection are "scientifically sound and reasonable". But more than 100signatories declared that, while they share and support the campaign's concerns, they judge a hunger strike to be an "inappropriate form of protest".[42]

On 15May 2024, energy expert Claudia Kemfert said that: "Iunderstand and support the concerns of the hunger strikers" but that she did not believe that hunger strikes were the appropriate form of protest: "We don't need martyrs, we need arguments, perseverance, and persuasion to win over democratic majorities in favor of aresolute and effective climate policy".[22]

In an interview published by taz on 2 June 2024, sociologist Dieter Rucht said that it would be difficult to assess the advantages and disadvantages of chancellor Scholz acceding to the hunger strikers' demands: doing so would possibly make him appear empathic, but might also lead to other groups trying to achieve their own aims by similar means. Rucht further said that the claim by hunger striker Metzeler-Kick that other avenues for climate activists to voice their demands had already been exhausted was "arguable", and pointed to what he considered the small likelihood of altering the course of climate politics through such an action. He voiced his respect for the sincerity of the hunger strikers, but said he would advise against this hunger strike due to the "modest effect" that could be achieved through the "drastic action" and in view of the possible consequences for the activists.[43]

Media commentary

A commentary from 7 June 2024 in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung assessed that the refusal by Scholz to accede to the demands had contributed to dashing the hopes of the protest camp that the hunger strike action would succeed.[15]

Reactions by civil society

In March 2024, 18local groups of Parents for Future sent an open letter to German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in which they took up the demands of the hunger strikers for a government policy statement and called on the Federal President to bring this to the attention of the Federal Chancellor.[44] [45]

Psychologists/Psychotherapists for Future released a statement in April 2024 that it shared the demands of the climate strikers, but distanced itself from hunger striking as a form of protest. The co‑initiator of the association, Lea Dohm, made the same statement at a campaign alliance press conference on 7May.[46]

In early May 2024, the Last Generation Austria supported the hunger strikers with a vigil in front of the German Embassy in Vienna,[47] and a demonstration in front of the Austrian Parliament. On 28May 2024, Fridays for Future Germany distanced themselves from the hunger strike action.[48]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Baur . Jonas . Hungerstreik fürs Klima: "Was kann ich noch machen?" . Hunger strike for the climate: "What else can I do?" . German . 7 March 2024 . Die Tageszeitung (taz) . Berlin, Germany . 0931-9085 . 2024-05-11.
  2. Web site: Demands . n.d. . Starve until you are honest . 2024-05-11.
  3. News: Anon . Klimaaktivist im Hungerstreik wurde in Krankenhaus eingeliefert . Climate activist on hunger strike admitted to hospital . German . 3 June 2024 . . Hamburg, Germany . 2024-06-04.
  4. Web site: Anon . Klimaaktivisten brechen Hungerstreik ab – und rufen zu Sabotageakten auf . Climate activists end hunger strike – and call for acts of sabotage . German . 14 June 2024 . . 2024-06-23.
  5. News: dpa . Demonstrationen: Klima-Hungerstreik: Gesundheit zweier Teilnehmer schlecht . Demonstrations: climate hunger strike: poor health of two participants . German . 13 May 2024 . Die Zeit . Hamburg, Germany . 0044-2070 . 2024-05-14.
  6. Web site: Hungern bis ihr ehrlich seid! . Wolfgang Metzeler-Kick in akuter Lebensgefahr! . Wolfgang Metzeler-Kick in acute mortal danger! . German . 28 May 2024 . hungern-bis-ihr-ehrlich-seid.de . 2024-07-07. Contains link to video of medical team spokesperson Susanne Koch reading prepared statement.
  7. News: dpa . Hungerstreikender Aktivist zurück im Zeltcamp . Hunger striking activist back in tent camp . German . 4 June 2024 . . 2024-06-05.
  8. News: Peter . Erik . Blockade von Kraftwerk in Berlin: Kohle als gemeinsamer Gegner . Blockade of power plant in Berlin: coal as a common opponent . German . 27 March 2022 . Die Tageszeitung (taz) . Berlin, Germany . 0931-9085 . 2024-05-11.
  9. News: Münchner Klimaaktivist will Hungerstreik unterbrechen . Munich climate activist wants to suspend hunger strike . Bernd . Kastner . . 6 June 2024 . 9 June 2024.
  10. News: Anon . Berlin: Klima-Aktivist wirft sich Galgen um Hals — Aktion zu Hungerstreik . Berlin: Climate activist throws gallows around his neck — hunger strike action . German . 8 March 2024 . www.t-online.de . Germany . 2024-05-11.
  11. Web site: Anon . Nur noch Wasser, Salze und Vitamine: Klima-Aktivist kündigt absoluten Hungerstreik an . From now only water, salts and vitamins: climate activist announces absolute hunger strike . n.d. . Focus Online . 2024-05-30.
  12. Anon . rbb24 Abendschau: 'Hungern bis ihr ehrlich seid' geht weiter . 'Hungern bis ihr ehrlich seid' continues . 16 May 2024 . rbb24 Abendschau . Berlin, Germany . 2024-05-20. Video clip, duration 00:02:38.
  13. News: Anon . "Hungern bis ihr ehrlich seid": Klimaaktivisten verlegen ihr Hungerstreik-Camp in Berlin . 'Starve until you are honest': climate activists relocate their hunger strike camp in Berlin . German . 29 April 2024 . www.t-online.de . Germany . 2024-05-11.
  14. News: Sarah El Sheimy . "Ich werde weiter hungern, bis...": Klimaaktivist im Hungerstreik setzt Scholz unter Druck . "I will continue to hunger until...": climate activist in hunger strike puts Scholz under pressure . German . 4 June 2024 . Frankfurter Rundschau . 2024-06-06.
  15. News: Anna Nowaczyk . Erpressung in Kurzform . Blackmail in shortened form . German . 7 June 2024 . www.faz.de . Germany . 2024-06-24.
  16. News: Anon . Karlsruhe: Mahnwache vor dem Bundesverfassungsgericht . Karlsruhe: Vigil in front of the Federal Constitutional Court . German . 25 March 2024 . Badische Neueste Nachrichten . Karlsruhe, Germany . 2024-05-11.
  17. News: Bundesverfassungsgericht — Constitutional complaints against the Federal Climate Change Act partially successful — Press Release No31/2021 . 29 April 2021 . German Constitutional Court . Karlsruhe, Germany . 2024-05-11. Official translation.
  18. Cautious scrutiny: The Federal Climate Change Act case in the German Constitutional Court. Stefan. Theil. Modern Law Review. 2022. 86. 1. 263–275 . 10.1111/1468-2230.12746.
  19. News: Anon . Karlsruhe: Mahnwache vor dem Bundesverfassungsgericht . Karlsruhe: Vigil in front of the Federal Constitutional Court . German . 25 March 2024 . Badische Neueste Nachrichten . Karlsruhe, Germany . 2024-05-11.
  20. News: dpa . Invalidenpark: Klima-Hungerstreik: Camp vom Kanzleramt umgezogen . Invalidenpark: Climate hunger strike: camp moved from the Chancellery . German . 29 April 2024 . Zeit Online . Hamburg, Germany . 2024-05-11.
  21. News: Meier . Friederike . Im Hungerstreik für das Klima: "Ich riskiere mein Leben" . On hunger strike for the climate: ‘I'm risking my life’ . German . 7 May 2024 . Frankfurter Rundschau . Frankfurt, Germany . 2024-05-11.
  22. News: dpa . Klima-Hungerstreik: Ein Teilnehmer zeitweise im Krankenhaus . Climate hunger strike: One participant temporarily hospitalized . German . 15 May 2024 . Berliner Morgenpost . Berlin, Germany . 2024-05-15.
  23. News: Bernstein . Isabel . Nach akuter Lebensgefahr: Klimaaktivist Michael Winter beendet Hungerstreik . After acute danger to life: climate activist Michael Winter ends hunger strike . German . 18 May 2024 . Süddeutsche Zeitung . Munich, Germany . 0174-4917 . 2024-05-19. Reports 31 days without food.
  24. News: Barkey . Sophie . Erster Klimaaktivist Michael Winter beendet Hungerstreik wegen akuter Lebensgefahr . First climate activist Michael Winter ends hunger strike due to acute danger to life . German . 18 May 2024 . Berliner Zeitung . Berlin, Germany . 2024-05-19. With reporting from dpa.
  25. News: Braungart . Eva Maria . Berlin: Aktivist beendet Hungerstreik nach Fotos von Olaf Scholz in Gummistiefeln . Berlin: activist ends his hunger strike, after photos of Scholz in gumboots . German . 23 May 2024 . Berliner Zeitung . Berlin, Germany . 2024-05-23.
  26. Web site: Bordel . Anna . Ärzte lehnen weitere Verantwortung für hungernden Klima-Aktivisten ab . Doctors reject further responsibility for starving climate activists . German . 15 May 2024 . Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg (rbb) . Berlin and Potsdam, Germany . 2024-05-15. Michael Winter referred to as "Michael W" in report.
  27. News: von Werder . Franziska . Bachner . Frank . Akute Lebensgefahr für "Wolli": Ärzte beenden medizinische Begleitung für Berliner Hungerstreikenden . Acute danger to "Wolli's" life: doctors end medical support for Berlin hunger striker . German . 28 May 2024 . Der Tagesspiegel Online . Berlin, Germany . 1865-2263 . 2024-05-28. The article acknowledges that the duration of the hunger strikes are selfreported.
  28. News: dpa . Reichstagsgebäude: Zwei Klimaaktivisten wollen Hungerstreik fortsetzen . Chancellors office: two climate activists want to continue their hunger strike . German . 3 April 2024 . Zeit Online . Hamburg, Germany . 2024-05-11.
  29. News: Schellenberg . Alisa . Hungern gegen den Bundeskanzler . Hunger against the Federal Chancellor . German . 21 April 2024 . Zeit Online . Hamburg, Germany . 2024-05-11.
  30. News: Anon . Scholz ruft Hungerstreikende zum Abbruch ihrer Aktion auf . Scholz calls on hunger strikers to call off their action . German . 24 May 2024 . Merkur.de . Munich, Germany . 2024-05-28.
  31. News: Anon . Scholz ruft Klimaaktivisten zum Abbruch ihres Hungerstreiks auf . Scholz calls on climate activists to end their hunger strike . German . 26 May 2024 . Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg (rbb) . Berlin and Potsdam, Germany . 2024-05-28.
  32. News: dpa . Scholz: Teilnehmer des Klima-Hungerstreiks sollen abbrechen . Scholz: participants in the climate hunger strike should call it off . German . 30 May 2024 . Berliner Morgenpost . Berlin, Germany . 2024-05-31.
  33. News: Schöneberg . Kai . Klima-Protest: Hungerstreikende schelten Kanzler . Climate protest: Hunger strikers chastise chancellor . German . 31 May 2024 . Die Tageszeitung (taz) . Berlin, Germany . 0931-9085 . 2024-06-01.
  34. News: Der Bruder von Maiken Winter hungert fürs Klima . Maiken Winter's brother is starving for the climate . German . 2 May 2024 . Ammersee Kurier . 2024-05-11.
  35. News: Kastner . Bernd . Hungerstreik in Berlin: Aktivisten hungern für Klima-Aussage von Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz . Hunger strike in Berlin: activists starve for Chancellor Olaf Scholz's climate statement . German . 29 April 2024 . Süddeutsche.de . Munich, Germany . 2024-05-11 . subscription.
  36. News: Anon . Germany: Third man joins climate hunger strike in Berlin . 29 April 2024 . Deutsche Welle . 2024-05-30.
  37. News: Baur . Jonas . Hungerstreik für Regierungserklärung: 30 Personen verzichten auf Essen . Hunger strike for government statement: 30 people go without food . German . 8 April 2024 . Die Tageszeitung (taz) . Berlin, Germany . 0931-9085 . 2024-05-11.
  38. News: dpa . "Ich möchte gern noch weiter hungern": Das sind die Gründe für den Hungerstreik der Klimaaktivisten . I would like to go on starving‘: These are the reasons for the climate activists' hunger strike . German . 7 May 2024 . www.t-online.de . Germany . 2024-05-11.
  39. News: Anon . Hungerstreik im Berliner Regierungsviertel: Weitere Wissenschaftler schließen sich Klimaprotest an . Hunger strike in Berlin's government district: more scientists join climate protest . German . 3 April 2024 . Der Tagesspiegel Online . Berlin, Germany . 1865-2263 . 2024-05-11.
  40. News: Haarbach . Madlen . Klimaprotest im Berliner Invalidenpark: Aktivist will in "absoluten Hungerstreik" treten . Climate protest in Berlin's Invalidenpark: activist wants to go on "absolute hunger strike" . German . 23 May 2024 . Der Tagesspiegel Online . Berlin, Germany . 1865-2263 . 2024-06-01.
  41. Web site: Anon . Stellungnahme von Scientists For Future-Aktiven zu Klima-Forderungen der Hungerstreikenden im Regierungsviertel . Statement by Scientists For Future activists on the climate demands of the hunger strikers in the government district . German . 6 May 2024 . Scientists for Future Deutschland . Berlin, Germany . 2024-05-11.
  42. News: Benz . Anton . Hungerstreik fürs Klima: Aktivist in Gesundheitsgefahr . Hunger strike for the climate: activist's health at risk . German . 7 May 2024 . nd-aktuell.de . 2024-05-11.
  43. News: Frahm . Joscha . "Das ist kein Spiel" – Im Interview: Dieter Rucht . "This is no play" – interview with Dieter Rucht . German . 2 June 2024 . Die Tageszeitung (taz) . Berlin, Germany . 0931-9085 . 2024-06-06.
  44. News: Julke . Ralf . 18 Parents for Future Ortsgruppen schreiben offenen Brief an Steinmeier: Wir brauchen eine ehrliche Klimadebatte . 18 Parents for Future local groups write open letter to Steinmeier: we need an honest climate debate . German . 26 March 2024 . Leipziger Zeitung . Leipzig, Germany . 2024-05-11.
  45. News: Braungart . Eva Maria . Hungerstreik im Berliner Regierungsviertel: Weiterer Klimaaktivist zieht nach . Hunger strike in Berlin's government district: another climate activist follows suit . 25 March 2024 . Berliner Zeitung . Berlin, German . 2024-05-11.
  46. News: Haarbach . Madlen . Klimaprotest im Berliner Invalidenpark: Hungerstreikender in "sehr kritischem Zustand" . Climate protest in Berlin's Invalidenpark: hunger striker in "very critical condition" . German . 7 May 2024 . Tagesspiegel . Berlin, Germany . 2024-05-11.
  47. News: Anon . Letzte Generation will auf Hungerstreikende aufmerksam machen . Last Generation wants to draw attention to hunger strikers . German . 2 May 2024 . 5MIN.AT . Austria . 2024-05-11.
  48. News: von Eisenhart Rothe . Yannick . "Du gefährdest dein Leben für nichts": Scharfe Kritik aus Klimabewegung an Aktivist im Hungerstreik . "You're endangering your life for nothing": sharp criticism from climate movement of activist on the hunger strike . German . 30 May 2024 . T-Online . Berlin and Frankfurt am Main, Germany . 2024-05-30.

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