Volunteers and social activists worldwide are going to great lengths to draw citizens' attention to various issues. These protests and actions could be related to environmental, social, health, or military concerns. Despite their different focus areas, activists worldwide share a common goal: to improve the world by raising awareness about critical problems.

On Monday, the Last Generation group announced blockades of bridges in Warsaw after Prime Minister Donald Tusk refused to support their demands to combat transport exclusion in Poland. Despite a significant police presence assembled at most Warsaw bridges, activists still managed to block two of them - Poniatowski and Śląsko-Dąbrowski bridges.

In the early morning, a dozen people wearing orange waistcoats blocked traffic there. Additionally, the police identified several members of the Last Generation group at the tram stop on the Poniatowski Bridge.

The Last Generation activists had set a deadline for the Prime Minister to meet their demands, which was until the day of the local elections. However, Donald Tusk chose to ignore them. Consequently, on Friday, 12 April 2024, the group held a press conference where they announced their intention to take several high-profile actions across Poland.

"When the government ignores our peaceful attempts to be heard, we have no choice but to block roads as this is the place where change begins. Every successful social movement in history has taken to the streets. Traffic disruption can be frustrating, and we would prefer not to do it. Still, it pales in comparison to the devastation that the climate crisis will bring," stated Michalina Czerwońska, spokesperson for the Last Generation, during the press conference.

"We have no choice but to join the fight for our collective health and safety in the face of climate collapse. By ignoring our demands, the Polish government has chosen the highway to climate hell instead of prioritising the well-being of its citizens. Left on our own, frightened for ourselves and our families, we must fight back. As the first generation to know about the climate crisis and the last generation that can stop its worst effects, it is our duty to do so," added Łukasz Stanek, an activist and father of a year-old son.

Last Generation is a grassroots campaign that aims to compel the government to take the health and safety of citizens seriously amidst the looming threat of climate collapse. Their campaign was launched in Poland at the beginning of March. Since then, its members have carried out a series of high-profile actions to raise awareness about the climate crisis. They have disrupted a concert at the National Philharmonic Hall, blocked traffic on the Lazienkowska Route, and vandalised the monument to Warsaw's Mermaid by covering it with orange paint.

The activists sent a letter to the Prime Minister with some demands in March. They requested that all funds allocated for new motorways be redirected towards public transportation improvement. Additionally, they demanded the introduction of a monthly ticket for regional transport across the country at a cost of PLN 50. The group gave the Prime Minister an ultimatum, stating that he must support their demands by 7 April. However, the deadline has now passed, and the group's demands have not been met. As a result, Last Generation plans to launch further protests.

"We urge the government to take decisive action on the transportation issue. The rising emissions from this sector are exacerbating the climate crisis, and millions of Poles are facing transportation exclusion. It is concerning that the government plans to expand motorways extensively when the focus should be on developing public transportation, not just in major cities. Therefore, we strongly recommend the government to redirect 100% of the funds designated for new motorways towards the enhancement of public transport systems and to provide a monthly ticket of PLN 50 for regional transport throughout the country," emphasised Łukasz Stanek.