German police demolish the camp of protesters against the Tesla plant, but they hold their defense in the trees

Yesterday, German police announced the start of demolition of a forest camp of environmental activists protesting against the expansion of the Tesla plant near Berlin. Police climbed ladders and cut rope structures in an attempt to clear the camp. Although some protesters left the camp voluntarily after the special operation began, police say there are “currently still people in the trees and rope structures,” so work to “clean up” the camp continues.

Image source: Spiegel.de

On November 18, environmental group Disrupt Tesla on social media X called for mass protests against Tesla’s plans to expand its gigafactory. Protesters argue that deforestation for the planned doubling of factory space will cause serious damage to the environment. Police charged the protesters with criminal offenses including resisting a police operation, meaning the safety of the Tesla facility “can no longer be guaranteed.”

Protesters opposing the expansion of a Tesla plant near Berlin held out in treehouses on Tuesday as German police climbed ladders and cut down cable structures in an attempt to demolish a forest camp. “The situation is, of course, dangerous, slippery from a safety point of view, it’s raining and very cold all day. But we will continue our protest,” said a representative of the protesters. “There are still people in the trees here who are resisting.”

In April 2024, German environmental activists literally took their fight against deforestation in the suburbs of Berlin for the expansion of the Tesla plant to new heights – they began building tree houses. A total of 18 houses were built for approximately 70 people. There were no conflicts with the police then; it was reported that all issues were resolved through the courts.

In May 2024, protesters clashed with police while attempting to storm Tesla’s European gigafactory, which employs about 12,000 employees. Previously, environmental activists had blocked a nearby highway and disrupted train service by sitting on the tracks.