Priest Joerg Alt addresses supporters prior the beginning of his trial at a court in Munich, Germany, Wednesday, May 3, 2023. Alt is accused of blocking a road in Munich last October together with other activists of of Scientist Rebellion protesting for climate protection. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)Priest Joerg Alt looks on at the beginning of his trial at a court in Munich, Germany, Wednesday, May 3, 2023. Alt is accused of blocking a road in Munich last October together with other activists of of Scientist Rebellion protesting for climate protection. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)Supporters demonstrate prior to a trial against Priest Joe Alt at a court in Munich, Germany, Wednesday, May 3, 2023. Alt is accused of blocking a road in Munich last October together with other activists of of Scientist Rebellion protesting for climate protection. Sign reads "climate protection is no crime".(AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)Priest Joerg Alt, right, looks on at the beginning of his trial at a court in Munich, Germany, Wednesday, May 3, 2023. Alt is accused of blocking a road in Munich last October together with other activists of of Scientist Rebellion protesting for climate protection. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)Priest Joerg Alt addresses supporters prior the beginning of his trial at a court in Munich, Germany, Wednesday, May 3, 2023. Alt is accused of blocking a road in Munich last October together with other activists of of Scientist Rebellion protesting for climate protection. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved
Priest Joerg Alt addresses supporters prior the beginning of his trial at a court in Munich, Germany, Wednesday, May 3, 2023. Alt is accused of blocking a road in Munich last October together with other activists of of Scientist Rebellion protesting for climate protection. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
BERLIN – A Jesuit priest and a scientist are appearing before a German court Wednesday charged with coercion in connection with a climate protest last year.
The Rev. Joerg Alt and Cornelia Huth, a biologist and member of the group Scientist Rebellion, blocked a road in Munich on Oct. 28.
The public and political response to such road blockades has been mixed. While some German mayors have said they support the protesters' cause. if not their means, activists have also faced violence from enraged motorists and calls for tough punishment from conservative politicians.
So far, most courts have acquitted the protesters or handed down fines, though in at least one recent case a judge sentenced three activists to prison terms ranging from three to five months.
Also appearing before the Munich regional court is Luca Thomas, a student from Bayreuth.
The trial comes as Germany hosts a key diplomatic meeting aimed at paving the way for greater international efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions at this year's U.N. climate summit.
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