Activists Ostatnie Pokolenie raise awareness of the climate emergency with a series of protests and roadblocks
Words and photographs by Neil Milton.
8 December 2024 – 9 May 2025 · Śródmieście, Warsaw, Mazowieckie, Poland
In the wake of the climate emergency, Polish climate activists, Ostatnie Pokolenie (The Last Generation), followed the example of other European chapters of the group in organising many protests across 2024 and 2025. While orange cornstarch paint was used to cover various monuments and buildings during this time, the primary form of protest was roadblocks. The group advocated for cheaper and wider public transport options to reduce Polish reliance on private commuter travel. Supported by many, the group was also widely considered divisive and provoked a great deal of debate in the Polish media. The group ended their activities in 2026 after a draft citizens' bill, the so-called "Lex Ostatnie Pokolenie", was introduced to parliament submitting the organisation's proposals.
Climate activists block the road with a banner during the protest on Wisłostrada in December 2024. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
An angry motorist remonstrates with the climate activist during a protest on Wisłostrada in December 2024. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
Police struggle to remove a climate activist from the road during the roadblock protests on Wisłostrada in December 2024. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
A climate activist yells in pain as the police try to free his hand that is glued to the road during the roadblock protests on Wisłostrada in December 2024. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
A motorist roughly manhandles a climate activist away from the road during the protest at Dworzec Gdański in May 2025. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
Motorists roughly manhandle an older climate activist on the road during the protest at Dworzec Gdański in May 2025. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
An angry commuter remonstrates with a climate activist during a roadblock protest in May 2025. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
An angry commuter remonstrates with a climate activist during a roadblock protest at Ratusz Arsenał in May 2025. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
An angry commuter pulls a limp climate activist from the road during a roadblock protest at Ratusz Arsenał in May 2025. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
The police pull a climate activist from the road during a roadblock protest at Ratusz Arsenał in May 2025. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
A climate activist is seen on the hood of a car at a protest on a motorway near Park Kaskada in May 2025. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
Frustrated and angry motorists attempt to remove protesters during a roadblock demonstration on a motorway near Park Kaskada in May 2025. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
A commuter assaults the protestors with pepper spray during a roadblock demonstration on a motorway near Park Kaskada in May 2025. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
A protester gestures for the traffic to stop during a roadblock protest on a motorway near Park Kaskada in May 2025. (Photo by Neil Milton for SOPA Images)
