SUVs Tampered with in Hamburg by Activists

Notes claiming to be from a hard-left “resistance collective” were left on the windshields of multiple SUVs that had their tires deflated overnight in Hamburg, Germany. In addition, activists attempted to disrupt the local railway network.

Reports suggest that between 40 to 60 large personal vehicles were affected in the city, causing many residents to find their cars unusable when they woke up Monday morning. Authorities were alerted after numerous individuals discovered their flat tires, often accompanied by a flyer announcing the act.

A report from Die Welt stated that the notes signed by the “resistance collective” indicated that SUVs were chosen due to their pollution levels and perceived danger to pedestrians, particularly children. The activists claimed responsibility for deflating tires on 60 SUVs, while police confirmed at least 40 cases, though they remained uncertain about whether any laws were actually broken.

This past weekend was particularly eventful for local leftist groups in Hamburg. Beyond targeting SUVs, they also set their sights on the German defense company Rheinmetall and the wider Western military presence.

A far-left action group, the “Disarm Rheinmetall” alliance, posted a call-to-action on an extremist forum urging people to resist militarism. They encouraged various groups, including neighborhoods, artists, and parents, to:

…disrupt military exercises, undermine war logistics, bring visibility to military cooperation, and protect civilian life. They invited participants to think creatively about ways to challenge the military’s discipline and to help foster a movement away from warfare.

In response to this call, Die Welt reported that leftist activists blocked railway tracks leading to the city’s docks in protest against Rheinmetall, aiming to halt exports of the company’s military products.

The act of deflating SUV tires is not new among European leftist factions. A report from Breitbart News in 2022 highlighted similar actions, including groups like the Deflationists and Tyre Extinguishers in the UK, which claimed to have let down the tires of over 2,000 SUVs in cities like London, Manchester, and Birmingham.

One group left a flyer on targeted vehicles stating: “ATTENTION – your gas guzzler kills… We took this action because driving a large vehicle in urban areas negatively impacts others. You can easily get around using walking, cycling, or public transport instead.”