Greta Thunberg visited Lützerath, where climate activists have been protesting against the evacuation of the village for weeks. The 20-year-old denounced “police violence”.
The Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg visited Lützerath on Friday and sharply criticized the actions of the police in the evacuation of the Rhenish village. “It’s outrageous how police violence is,” said Thunberg. The 20-year-old also toured the open-pit lignite mine’s crater, holding up a sign that read, “Keep it in the ground.”
What is happening in Lützerath is “shocking,” said Thunberg. Unfortunately, similar things are happening all over the world. “It’s appalling to see what’s happening here.” Many people would have tried for years to prevent this. On Saturday she will take part in the planned rally for the preservation of Lützerath, she announced. When governments and corporations work together in this way to destroy the environment and endanger countless people, the population must speak out against it. “We want to show what people power looks like, what democracy looks like.” She does not yet know how long she will remain in Germany.
CSu criticizes Greta Thunberg’s visit
Before the large-scale demonstration planned for Saturday, North Rhine-Westphalia’s Interior Minister Herbert Reul (CDU) Thunberg called for de-escalation. “In NRW, everyone can demonstrate, including Ms. Thunberg, who is traveling from afar,” Reul told the “Bild” newspaper, according to a statement on Friday. “I hope she makes sure her comrades-in-arms remain peaceful and stick to the rules.”
Against the background of the sometimes violent protests against the police, the CSU criticized Thunberg’s arrival. Stefan Müller, parliamentary director of the CSU state group in the Bundestag, pointed out that the activist was driving to Lützerath, although police officers there were being attacked with stones and fireworks. “With her visit, Thunberg knowingly makes common with these criminals,” he said “Bild”.
The police have been clearing the village of Lützerath since Wednesday so that the energy company RWE can then excavate the coal underneath.
Climate protest against coal
Music, human chains, flying stones: This is how the activists are defending themselves against the eviction in Lützerath
Lützerath: Activists entrenched in tunnels
Meanwhile, the eviction is nearing completion. Police began clearing the last building on Friday. After that, some activists would have to be taken out of tree houses, a police spokesman said.
On Thursday, a video of two hooded men posted on the YouTube platform caused a stir. “Pinky” and “Brain” state that they are in the tunnel under Lützerath. “We have evidence that the video is authentic,” the police confirmed.
The Aachen police chief Dirk Weinspach climbed a bit into the tunnel shaft on Friday. The rescue of the two people would have to take over the special forces of the fire brigade and the THW, he said afterwards. “I just think it’s terrible what dangers these people take on themselves.” The construction is not safe. However, he assumes that there is currently no acute danger for the two people.
He didn’t know if they were chained. “Contact officials are trying to get in touch and speak to those concerned,” he said. Their communication with the telephone no longer works, they are now trying to use radios.
Source: Stern
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