MUNICH (dpa-AFX) - The German Association of the Automotive Industry has invited the climate activists of the Last Generation to the IAA motor show in Munich. They could set up an information booth, a VDA spokesman said Wednesday, confirming a report in the daily newspaper Die Welt. A spokesman for the group said, "We can confirm that Last Generation has received an invitation to an exhibition space at the IAA." However, the spokesman did not comment on whether it would accept the offer.

The organizers of the IAA, which will be opened by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) on Sept. 5, are also seeking dialogue with climate activists and with critics of the event. For example, 21-year-old Sophia Kianni is scheduled to speak at the IAA on September 6 about the Climate Cardinals climate protection initiative she founded.

Opponents of the IAA and motorized individual transport have called for a large-scale demonstration "#BlockIAA!" on September 10. They say it will start from Luitpoldpark, where about 1,500 activists are expected to set up a protest camp from September 5. "We will oppose the IAA in the city center, directly at the exhibition venues, with our activism for a climate-friendly mobility shift," said a spokeswoman for the organizing team.

Last Generation activists have made headlines since last year with blockades of roads, highways and airports, gluing actions to paintings in museums, disruptions of theater performances and paint attacks. According to Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser (SPD), 580 crimes were attributable to the group, mostly acts of emergency and damage to property./rol/DP/jha