Construction dissidents impede Tesla railway development site
Starting from 2 pm on a Wednesday, a group of demonstrators took over a construction site belonging to Deutsche Bahn in Grünheide, using an excavator to block access. The group "Tesla stop" initially claimed that there were three individuals occupying the excavator, not associated with their cause. Around 2:40 am, one of these individuals ended their protest and was detained by the authorities, as confirmed by both the authorities and the neighboring protest camp's spokesperson.
The supporters of "Tesla stop," positioned in the forest surrounding Grünheide, where Tesla is building a new railway line since September, voiced solidarity with the occupiers. According to the police, around 40 to 50 individuals gathered near the construction site, kept apart from the equipment by a construction fence. In the early hours, there were chaotic scenes as the "troublemakers," as the police labeled them, attempted to breach the construction fence. The police then deployed pepper spray and made an arrest.
The "Tesla stop" advocates lamented that the police failed to supply the protesters with sufficient water, food, and blankets. In a statement, they argued, "We just don't comprehend why people are denied access to water for hours!" They reported attempting to deliver water, food, and blankets to the protesters on several occasions, but the police allegedly obstructed their efforts.
Reinforcement from special forces
An officer from the police reported to ntv.de that they were prepared to cater to the needs of the three occupants, albeit the process was delayed due to the late hour. The officer clarified, "The individuals were not under police custody; they had to cater to their own needs." The police's response to the request for supplies during the night was a gesture of goodwill.
The police further confirmed the deployment of specialized units from the Technical Deployment Unit to the forest. The press officer explained, "They are trained for interventions at heights and depths." According to the authorities, one of the remaining protesters was still on the excavator's roof in the morning, while the other was "lying on the bucket." The special forces first attempted to engage the occupiers in dialogue, but the operation commenced when these attempts failed.
Initially, the height police officers removed the protester from the excavator's arm, followed by the evacuation of the individual on the roof. Moreover, individuals from the protest camp were reportedly taken into custody, as claimed by "Tesla stop." The police spokesperson stated that the operation concluded around 11 am, with eight individuals in police custody at that time. The police aim to issue a ban on residence against the protesters.
The "Tesla stop" supporters, finding solace in the green surroundings of Grünheide, brought along food and water to share with their fellow protesters on the construction site. Despite their efforts, the police, as the protesters alleged, hindered their delivery, leaving the protesters on the green grass to fend for themselves.
