Two activists from the Resistance Collective climbed onto a high wire at Karlsruhe's Marktplatz to protest the city's planned budget cuts affecting culture and public transportation (ÖPNV). The activists, who attached banners and a bicycle to the wire, were evacuated after about three hours due to strong winds. The protest was part of wider demonstrations where around 400 people protested against the planned 8.7% reduction in cultural funding and other austerity measures that aim to save at least 80 million euros over two years. The city faces a significant financial crisis, leading to over 400 layoffs and cuts in various sectors, including cultural institutions, which fear their closure. The protest coincided with an information event about Karlsruhe’s city budget, which includes various measures such as online services, safety enhancements at Christmas markets, and a public event on November 20 discussing the city’s financial situation.