Supporters of the climate camp demonstrate in Freiburg
Shortly before the temporary dismantling of the climate camp in Freiburg city center, supporters want to demonstrate on Tuesday (4.30 pm). The camp should remain a "place of protest", the activists demanded in a statement. As a city spokesperson added on request, the organizers have registered 700 people.
There has been a dispute between the city administration and the activists for months over the location of the tents on the central Rathausplatz. As Tobias Kurzeder from the climate camp had announced, they wanted to comply with a decision by the administrative court and clear the square in front of the town hall for the Christmas market.
The city had decided in mid-August that the four tents had to be removed by Wednesday at the latest so that Christmas market stands could be set up. "We assume that we will be able to start setting up the stands on the Rathausplatz on Wednesday," said the city spokesperson.
On Thursday, the administrative court rejected an urgent appeal against the order. The court ruled that the city was right to assume that the Christmas market had priority over the climate camp, also in light of the freedom of assembly. The market is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
According to a further ruling by the city, two of the four tents must be permanently removed and may not be set up again after the Christmas market. The camp was set up last summer. The student city of Freiburg, with more than 230,000 inhabitants, is proud of its sustainability policy and describes itself as a "Green City".
Despite the court's ruling, some climate activists plan to hold demonstrations in support of the climate camp on Tuesday, highlighting their commitment to climate issues within the municipalities. With the climate camp's temporary relocation necessary for the city's Christmas market celebration marking its 50th anniversary, discussions regarding the camp's future location and permanence continue to persist.
Source: www.dpa.com
