Law enforcement agent sustains minor injuries during demonstration at Tesla facility.
"Save the environment, boycott shares!" shout environmental protesters as they march towards the Tesla plant in Grünheide. They're warning of potential ecological hazards and taking aim at car manufacturing companies. A few run-ins with emergency services have occurred.
Reports from the police suggest that during a demonstration towards the Tesla factory in Grünheide, near Berlin, there were skirmishes between participants and responders on the sidelines. Fireworks were set off, reports the police. While most of the events transpired peacefully, one individual was taken into custody by 7 pm, according to the police.
At least four charges have been filed, including for violating assembly laws. A police officer sustained minor injuries; authorities, however, were unable to provide information about any harm suffered by the activists. The evening saw a relatively calm atmosphere, but they were closely monitoring events at the camps.
The police stated that around 1000 environmental activists participated in the protest. The march began around 2.30 pm, originating from Fangschleuse station and heading towards the only European car factory owned by Elon Musk. Reports of confrontation between individual protestors and law enforcement surfaced earlier, with police officers physically intervening at the gathering site.
Numerous groups organized the event, aimed at drawing attention to environmental risks while also criticizing other car companies. One activist slogan screamed, "Down with shares, up with water protection!" A tense atmosphere prevailed in the wake of clashes between demonstrators and police on the previous day.
Lucia Mende, an activist from Disrupt Tesla, remarked, "This system doesn't distinguish between Tesla, VW, or Mercedes? Car companies and their political cronies are responsible for selling off our livelihoods," prior to the demonstration. "We'll prevent this from happening."
The Grünheide local initiative blames Tesla and the Brandenburg state government for not considering the needs of the residents in the region. "They're proceeding forward, refusing to heed the locals' concerns," explained spokesperson Steffen Schorcht. "It's solely for Tesla's benefit." Schorcht sympathized with the protesters. "If you're up against a stubborn wall and don't know what else to do, it's sometimes the only option to choose civil disobedience."
The alliance "Tesla den Hahn abdrehen" sees impending risks for groundwater resources from Tesla's operations. "Tesla's luxurious cars contaminate and consume precious drinking water across the globe," stated alliance spokeswoman, Karolina Drzewo. She criticized the ongoing plan to expand the plant, despite the majority in Grünheide voting against it in a survey. The coalition asserts, "We need to abandon ineffective and environmentally destructive private transportation."
Tesla's CEO Elon Musk appeared frustrated with the situation. "Something extremely peculiar is unfolding, as Tesla is the only car firm facing these kinds of attacks!" he tweeted on X. He highlighted 'only' with asterisks. Since 2022, Tesla has been manufacturing electric vehicles in Grünheide. The company persistently refutes accusations of water contamination, claiming that water consumption has diminished and is also below the industry standard.
Authorities had to close the A10's Freienbrink intersection in both directions. Drivers were advised to exercise caution in the area. Officials banned a demonstration which was scheduled at Freienbrink junction on the A10, partially due to concerns it could impede drivers on the highway.
Brandenburg's Interior Minister, Michael Stübgen, made his views on the situation known while visiting the police site: "Regardless of Tesla, we won't condone any form of violence," his ministry stated on X.
Riots took place on Friday's fringes of the Tesla factory. Some protesters attempted access to the facility; police ultimately thwarted their efforts. Demonstrators and officers engaged in scuffles. The police employed pepper spray and batons. The police report that several participants and 21 officers were hurt; 16 individuals were temporarily detained.
Tesla did not operate on Friday – a factory representative attributed this to the holiday for Ascension Day. This is the singular European-based car facility owned by Musk. These events, instigated by various groups, have been ongoing since Wednesday and are planned to continue through Sunday. They directly target the expansion of Tesla's plant, involving deforestation, as well as eco-friendly vehicle production as a whole. Grünheide's public consultation resulted in a majority voting against the plant extension, after which both the municipality and Tesla indicated they could lessen the forest clearing.
The Freienbrink junction on the A10 was shut down. Police urged motorists to navigate around the area cautiously. Authorities declared a banned demonstration at Freienbrink junction on the A10 due to potential distraction for highway drivers. Michael Stübgen, the Brandenburg Interior Minister, made clear that violence would not be tolerated during a police visit.
Clashes broke out on Friday at the margins of the Tesla factory site. A few activists attempted to enter the premises, yet the police obstructed their entry. There were skirmishes between the protesters and police. The police employed pepper spray and batons, and 16 individuals were initially apprehended.
A spokesperson for Tesla confirmed that no production took place on Friday and attributed this to the day following Ascension Day. This is the lone European car factory owned by Musk. These actions, instigated by various groups, commenced on Wednesday and are scheduled to unwind by Sunday. They aim at the construction expansion, with trees being cleared, and electric car manufacturing in general. The Grünheide public consultation revealed a majority in favor of rejecting the extension, so the municipality and Tesla expressed inclination to reduce the forest clearing volume.
A US car company had to suspend production at its plant in Grünheide temporarily due to a fire at an electricity post in March. The perpetrators, a left-wing extremist group, claimed responsibility for the incident. Since late February, environmental activists have been staging a protest in a nearby forest camp against the proposed plant expansion and the clearance of trees. The authorities are insisting that the tree houses be dismantled. Moreover, a legal battle is currently underway.
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During the climate protests at the Tesla facility in Grünheide, environmental activists criticized not just Tesla but also other car companies. Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla Motors, expressed frustration over the situation, stating that Tesla is the only car company facing such attacks.
As the protests against Tesla's operations in Grünheide continue, Elon Musk's Tesla Motors remains a target for environmental activists, who are also critical of other car manufacturing companies.
Source: www.ntv.de
