The climate protection movement „Fridays for Future“ canceled the planned appearance of two of its members at the IAA Motor Show in Frankfurt and sharply criticized the industry. The IAA is „not part of the solution, but part of the problem,“ the movement said on Twitter. A speech by „Fridays for Future“ members Kira Geadah and Carla Reemtsma was planned.
The movement was the invitation to speak at the Mass, „faced from the beginning critical“, so Geadah. For example, „Fridays for Future“ was skeptical as to whether the industry was interested in an exchange and change, or whether the appearance served to lend a green color to the fair.
Protests against IAA planned
After Peter Feldmann (SPD), who is known as the „critic of the IAA“, did not speak as usual about the opening of the fair, the only logical conclusion was that he did not appear, Reemtsma said. Feldmann wanted to deal critically with the automotive industry in his speech.
„We will not serve on a stage for phrases and clemency announcements,“ Geadah said in a post published on Twitter. Reemtsma added that the problem is the car industry itself, because it contributes „massively to current environmental problems“ and makes no attempt to change it. „The ideal image of the automotive industry – faster, larger and, above all, more cars instead of fewer – leaves no room for a climate-friendly future.“
„Fridays for Future“ wants to stick to the announced protests around the IAA. VDA President Bernhard Mattes, who is giving up his post at the end of the year, is also invited to „have a conversation with us“, for example on the days of the fair and on Friday next week, the strike day on climate protection.
