Thousands protest on Brenner highway, blocking corridor

Thousands of demonstrators converged on Austria's Brenner Autobahn on Saturday, bringing the crucial transit corridor to a standstill. The protest, which drew an estimated 4,500 people, saw participants marching on the A13 highway near Matrei am Brenner.

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You are making history.

Organizers, including Gries mayor Karl Mühlsteiger, hailed the event as "historic." Mühlsteiger told the crowd, "You are making history," and expressed that the large turnout was "touching" and "moving." He declared that a "breaking point" had been reached regarding transit traffic, stating, "We must not let them take our country away." Matrei mayor Florian Riedl also addressed the demonstrators, emphasizing the need for a unified position on the transit issue.

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We must not let them take our country away.

Political leaders from across the spectrum, including the governor and deputy governor of Tyrol, as well as leaders from opposition parties, were present. Governor Anton Mattle attended as a "private person," a detail noted by some participants. Despite the blockade, police reported a surprisingly calm situation with less traffic than on a normal Saturday, suggesting travelers heeded warnings.

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I have already forwarded the demands of the demo organizers to Vienna, Berlin, Rome, and Brussels.

Provincial officials vowed to continue the fight against excessive transit. Governor Mattle announced he had forwarded the protesters' demands to Vienna, Berlin, Rome, and Brussels, expressing his "absolute support." He stated that the burden of "overwhelming transit" had reached its limits and that "measures are needed." Transport councilor René Zumtobel added that the "fight against transit traffic" must continue beyond the demonstration.

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We have simply too much traffic.