By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-03-21 19:27:45 | Updated at 2025-04-06 05:54:13
2 weeks ago
A German eco-protestor who has been dubbed the 'Climate Shakira' is facing deportation from Austria over her road-blocking protests.
Anja Windl, 28, is a member of activist group Last Generation who disbanded their Austria branch last year, and has glued herself to roads to block traffic in a similar vain to British group Just Stop Oil.
And now, Ms Windl, who acquired her nickname after many cited her resemblance to Colombian singer Shakira, says the Austrian authorities are trying to banish her from the country.
Speaking to German newspaper Bild, Ms Windl - who comes from Bavaria - said immigration authorities see her climate protests as a threat to the public after she brought roads to a standstill and enraged commuters.
'I've received the results of an evidence gathering exercise by the Austrian immigration office, which says my conduct presents a clear and present danger to public order due to a new allegation of property damage,' she said.
The 28-year-old, who was previously brought to the Austrian foreign ministry over her climate stunts, has also taken part in protests against attempts by the Austrian People's Party to form a coalition with the Freedom Party of Austria.
'Because of my protests against the coalition negotiations, I face deportation from Austria,' she added.
However, Ms Windl said she is planning to appeal the plans which would see her sent back to Germany.
Anja Windl (pictured) is a member of activist group Last Generation who disbanded their Austria branch last year, and has glued herself to roads to block traffic in a similar vain to British group Just Stop Oil
Ms Windl acquired her nickname after many cited her resemblance to Colombian singer Shakira (pictured) and says the Austrian authorities are trying to banish her from the country
The 28-year-old from Bavaria said immigration authorities see her climate protests as a threat to the public after she brought roads to a standstill and enraged commuters
'If I were issued with a residence ban or deportation, I would file an appeal with the federal administrative court. The fact that I have legal recourse is, just like deportation to Germany, a privilege that those seeking protection at Europe's external borders do not have,' she said.
A spokesman for the Austrian government said deportations of EU citizens were allowed in cases where they felt public order and security were at serious risk.
'The person's conduct must present an actual, present, and significant danger that affects a fundamental interest of society,' they told Bild.
Ms Windl's stunts are part of a growing eco-activist movement across the globe demanding sweeping climate reforms.
Despite Last Generation shutting down its Austria branch last year due to crushing legal fees stemming from property damage and disruptive protests by its members, the 28-year-old has found herself in hot water with the Austrian authorities.
However, the group remains one of the largest climate activist organisations in Europe, with branches in several countries.
The Austrian division garnered particular notoriety, with hundreds of their members having engaged in highly disruptive public protests, gluing themselves to roads and standing on highways to block traffic in and out of cities across the country.
They also sought to wreak havoc at major sporting events and public spaces, particularly museums and galleries.
Ms Windl said she is planning to appeal the plans which would see her sent back to Germany
A spokesman for the Austrian government said deportations of EU citizens were allowed in cases where they felt public order and security were at serious risk
Ms Windl's stunts are part of a growing eco-activist movement across the globe demanding sweeping climate reforms
In November 2023, furious skiers had to be restrained as protesters descended on the slopes in Gurgl to postpone the Alpine Skiing World Cup.
Henrik Kristoffersen, Norway's most successful slalom skier, was seen being pulled away as Last Generation activists spray painted the ice, held signs and sat behind the finish line with five skiers yet to finish.
One year prior, Last Generation activists stormed into Vienna's Leopold Museum to deface Austrian painter Gustav Klimt's masterpiece 'Death and Life'.
Two members of the group 'Last Generation' threw the dye over the 1915 painting before one proceeded to glue himself to the glass protecting the masterpiece - one of many attacks on famous artworks in the UK and Europe in recent years.
And in May 2023, shocking footage emerged of police officers and fed-up motorists alike working together to haul protesters out of roads as the group conspired to launch five separate protests designed to trigger travel chaos across Austria.
And closer to home the number of protesters has increased in recent years, but they too have recently found themselves facing the consequences by facing jail time.
In 2022, Last Generation activists stormed into Vienna's Leopold Museum to deface Austrian painter Gustav Klimt's masterpiece 'Death and Life'
Henrik Kristoffersen (pictured with goggles) was seen being pulled away as Last Generation activists spray painted the ice, held signs and sat behind the finish line with five skiers yet to finish
Though just this month, co-founder of Just Stop Oil, Roger Hallam, along with five other activists, successfully had their prison sentences reduced by the UK Court of Appeal.
Hallam and 15 of his associates were imprisoned for participating in four protests such as scaling the M25 and throwing soup on Vincent van Gogh's iconic Sunflowers painting.
Hallam had originally received an historic five-year sentence - the longest for a non-violent protest in recent times - after a judge determined he was a 'fanatic' by orchestrating traffic disruptions in November 2022.
But the group contested their initial sentences, which their legal team deemed 'manifestly excessive', and they were lowered to four years.
