Following a compromise, the old abandoned village of Lützerath (western Germany) must be destroyed to allow the extension of an open pit coal mine. This Saturday, a large demonstration mobilized thousands of people.
With our correspondent in Berlin, Pascal Thibault
It was in the mud and in the rain that the demonstration took place by activists opposed to the disappearance of the village of Lützerath in favor of the extension of an open-pit coal mine, one of the largest in ‘Europe.
Protesters from all over Germany made the trip. Greta Thunberg was also present on site. “ The coal must stay in the ground. The climate should not be sacrificed to short-term growth and corporate greed “, she launched. The Swedish activist also criticized the German government for making the deal with German energy giant RWE, which foresees Lützerath disappearing, but five other villages being saved, and the abandonment of advanced coal from 2038 to 2030.
Clashes with the police
The 35,000 demonstrators according to the organizers – 15,000 according to the police – were not convinced by this compromise. They tried unsuccessfully to enter the site of the former village from which around fifty anti-coal activists have not yet been expelled. Clashes took place between the demonstrators and the police and injuries are to be deplored.
With the onset of night, most coal opponents had left the site. Since the middle of the week, the police have been active in expel activists who occupied the site.
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