- Tesla protest encampment could potentially enter its heated stage
Tucked away in the woods close to the Tesla manufacturing facility, an insignificant protest encampment is barely noticeable from the asphalt road. However, what was once a handful of tents and treehouses has blossomed into a forest settlement, now boasting around twenty treehouse accommodations. These provide shelter for activists during the night, alongside workshops, restrooms, a marketplace, and an area for climbing exercises.
For roughly six months, activists have been rallying against the Tesla plant's expansion in Grünheide near Berlin. Commencing their stay on February 27, their numbers have fluctuated.
Activists Are Deterred by Winter's Chill
Undeterred, the activists remain steadfast in their mission to halt the plant's expansion. As of now, around twenty individuals remain at the camp, according to a representative from the "Tesla stoppen" movement. Despite not being a permanent respite for most activists, the camp shows no signs of weariness or loss of momentum. The activists are also determined to weather the upcoming winter. "The forest still unfortunately hasn't been saved," the representative emphasized.
Discussion of evacuating the camp subsided, and the protest has since become more peaceful. The Higher Administrative Court (OVG) Berlin-Brandenburg declined a police complaint related to the camp's conditions, which included the dismantling of treehouses. Following periods of unrest in May, marked by a massive police operation and multiple demonstration marches, the protests have since proceeded without major incidents.
Inspections with the assembly authority and the forestry department have proceeded in an orderly manner, as confirmed by the state environment ministry. "No deterioration in the situation was observed during these inspections," the ministry announced.
Brandenburg Interior Ministry Regards Camp as a Thorn
The forest occupation has not gone unnoticed by the Brandenburg Interior Ministry, which is yet to express a final verdict on the matter. "The legal status of handling protest camps, especially those featuring treehouses in forests, remains unclear," a representative from the ministry stated.
The ministry also expressed concerns about potential hazards associated with unexploded ordnance. "The probability of encountering unexploded ammunition in the area of the Tesla expansion is quite high," the spokesperson stated. "The fact that World War II-era munitions have been discovered only outside of the 'camp' thus far is merely due to the lack of any exploration efforts so far in that area."
Controversy Surrounds Expansion Plans
Activists are vigorously opposed to the proposed construction of a freight railway station and logistics zones, requiring further deforestation. The residents of Grünheide have predominantly rejected such plans, subsequently leading to scaled-back proposals involving less tree-felling.
The Brandenburg Ministry of Economics has expressed reservations about the forest protest. "Such actions certainly don't contribute positively to Germany's overall economic climate," a representative from the ministry stated. "However, the community approved the revised building plan unanimously. Consequently, the Ministry of Economics currently has no major concerns."
Tesla Maintains Silence on Protest
The car manufacturer has remained tight-lipped regarding the protest camp. A request for comment on the activists' activities went unanswered. According to camp inhabitants, there has been no interaction between the activists and Tesla.
Tesla is set to expand its production facilities with a new factory while awaiting a boost in sales growth to proceed. Plant manager André Thierig expressed his disapproval of the protest activism: "We're manufacturing electric cars here; we're not operating an oil refinery," he declared.
Activists Believe their Efforts are Paying Off
Activists view their slowing down of Tesla's expansion as a victory. The representative for the "Tesla stop" initiative cited Tesla's sales performance as indicator that "Elon Musk and Tesla are no longer viewed as a beacon project by the people." The company's decline into "somewhat diminished" standing.
The Ministry of Economics challenges this viewpoint. "Given the current market conditions in the automotive sector, Tesla's decision to link plant expansion with overall organic growth is reasonable," the representative clarified. Tesla has strong commitments to both the Grünheide location and its expansion with the state government. "This is also evidenced by the necessary and ongoing approval procedures."
Activists Prepare for 'Hot Phase'
Before Tesla can commence its site expansion, the state forest must sell the required territories to the company. "The sale of the state forest operation areas requires the approval of the specialist committee in the state parliament," the Ministry of Economics spokesperson explained. If the sale processes accelerate, the protest could re-ignite and enter a "hot phase," as the "Tesla stop" representative hinted.
In May of this year, several activists attempted to storm the factory entry, requiring police intervention using water cannons to preserve the site, they claimed. Further initiatives have announced demonstrations and protest actions if the sale becomes imminent.
The activists continue to reside in the protest camp, withstanding the upcoming winter, as they remain committed to halting the Tesla plant's expansion. Despite the legal ambiguity surrounding protest camps with treehouses in forests, the Brandenburg Interior Ministry has yet to take a definitive stance.
