- Nine demonstrators have complained about their treatment during a protest
- They glued themselves to the floor of a Volkswagen dealership in Germany
- Staff turned out the lights and switched off the heating and left them inside
- Activists have complained they 'weren't given a bowl to urinate or defecate in'
PUBLISHED: 17:10 EDT, 20 October 2022 | UPDATED: 22:27 EDT, 20 October 2022
Nine demonstrators who glued themselves to the floor of a Volkswagen dealership in Germany to protest climate change have had a cold and dark night after being left in their by staff.
When time came to shut up shop, employees of the site locked the doors and switched off the lights and heating, leaving the protesters on the concrete ground.
The group of activists, who are all reportedly scientists, claim the carmaker accepted their right to protest but neglected to make their lives any easier for the duration of the demonstration.
'They refused our request to provide us with a bowl to urinate and defecate in a decent manner while we are glued, and have turned off the heating,' one of the protesters, Gianluca Grimalda, said on Twitter.
He said some of the protesters are also on hunger strike until their demands to decarbonise the German transport sector are met.
'We can't order our food, we must use the one provided by Volkswagen. Lights off. Random unannounced checks by security guards with bright torches,' he said.
Nine demonstrators who glued themselves to the floor of a Volkswagen dealership in Germany to protest climate change are set for a cold and dark night
One of the protesters, Gianluca Grimalda, said some of the protesters are also on hunger strike until their demands to decarbonise the German transport sector are met
Eco-protestors in Germany deserted by Volkswagen employees
The activists are members of the 'Scientist Rebel' group, which promote themselves as a collection of scientists 'willing to tell the truth about the climate crisis, and act on it'.
They're also urging Volkswagen, one of the nation's largest carmakers, to step up in the fight against pollution.
Pictures of the demonstration were shared online and showed six of the protesters glued to the ground in front of three Porsches.
The group, wearing lab coats, looked away from the camera as they sat cross-legged on the floor with their hands glued.
Another photo shared hours later showed the group sitting in the dark. By this point, they'd seemingly unglued themselves from the floor as they were sitting in a circle with the headlights of the Porsche glowing in the background.
More activists joined the protest after Volkswagen staff left and remain outside offering moral support.
Another photo shared hours later showed the group sitting in the dark. By this point, they'd seemingly unglued themselves from the floor as they were sitting in a circle with the headlights of the Porsche glowing in the background
Mr Grimalda said: 'There is a real link between CO2 emissions and rising global temperatures.
'Decarbonisation is important, and it must happen as fast as possible because the target for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions set through Roadmap 2050 is too far off to have a meaningful impact.'
Volkswagen has been public in its promise to help make steps toward a greener future.
The carmaker has stepped up production of electric cars, saying: In pursuit of the goal to create an entirely electric model fleet, Volkswagen invests in a holistic approach'.
The company is also trying to reduce the 'unavoidable emissions' created during the production phase as well as find ways to reduce these emissions during the lifetime of the car.
More activists joined the protest after Volkswagen staff left and remain outside offering moral support
The activists are members of the 'Scientist Rebel' group, which promote themselves as a collection of scientists 'willing to tell the truth about the climate crisis, and act on it'
Source (Archive)
