This week, a group of climate activists decided to try and block the entrance of the Bank of Portugal (the country’s central bank), in Lisbon, in an attempt to protest against the Government’s investment in fossil fuels, and the lack of a “fair energetic transition”.
The blocking of the central bank’s entrance is supposed to be the first of a series of protests that, together, form a wave called “Student Spring for the End of Fossils”.
According to the group of activists, which calls itself the “End to Fossil Collective”, the demand is for the end of the use of fossil fuels by 2030, and for the end of the use of natural gas by next year. The alternative should be, according to them, a 100% renewable and free energy grid.
Moreover, the group stated that it will join a wave of student protests that has been taking place around the world, especially in the United States of America, which advocates for Palestine and a cease-fire. The “End to Fossil Collective” wants to “occupy places against a system that is comfortable with letting millions of people die in Palestine, and because of the climate crisis”.
It is important to note that, similarly to what happened when activists started occupying certain universities, for example, the police were called and proceeded with the removal and identification of the individuals that were trespassing and willingly hindering and trying to disturb the functioning of an institution that, according to the protesters, “is the one responsible for the investment in fossil fuels”. Furthermore, all were removed and identified, and two ended up being detained.
