This was confirmed by a spokeswoman for the university. The activists, who are currently occupying lecture hall C1 in the old AKH, had already announced the occupation of universities and schools “all over the world” for November a month ago. In Austria, actions are to take place in Vienna, Salzburg and Innsbruck.
“We call for a radical system change to overcome social crises, the crisis in education and the climate crisis,” the activists said on Twitter. A discussion with scientists has been announced for 6.30 p.m.
The aim of the occupations is “to end the fossil fuel economy,” according to the activists. Normal everyday life in schools and universities will be disrupted, “because we can no longer pretend that normality is okay”. It is their duty to fight as young people.
By occupying the lecture halls, they are specifically demanding more money for universities, the end of fossil fuels and a tax on assets and excess profits. “Continuing as before is simply no longer possible, and neither at the university, nor in the social sector, nor in climate policy,” Amina Guggenbichler from “Erde brennt Wien” is quoted as saying in a statement.
In October, the activists had already hung a banner with the slogan “Earth is on fire – occupy the university” on the main building of Un Vienna. There were similar campaigns at the Vienna University of Applied Sciences Campus.
Source: Nachrichten
