- Tesla protest encampment could potentially enter its intensified stage
The hidden protest encampment, nestled within the woods near the Tesla factory, is barely noticeable from the asphalt road. Initially, a few tents and treehouses formed this ensemble, but it's now transformed into a woodland habitat. Around twenty treehouses serve as nightly shelters for activists, along with workshop areas, toilets, a marketplace, and an area for rock climbing exercises.
Protesting against the Tesla factory in Grünheide near Berlin has been ongoing for approximately half a year, with the goal of halting the factory's planned expansion. Since February 27, a sizable group of activists have been residing in this covert woodland retreat, with fluctuating resident numbers.
The activists are resolute in their intentions. They aim to maintain their presence and halt the expansion of the electric vehicle maker's plant. At present, around twenty individuals are keeping the camp going, as reported by the "Tesla stoppen" initiative's spokesperson. Despite several activists not permanently residing at the camp, there is no evidence of fatigue or dwindling spirits. The activists are also gearing up to endure the impending winter. "Regrettably, the forest has yet to be saved," the spokesperson emphasized.
Following talks about the potential eviction of the camp, the protests have subsided somewhat. The Higher Administrative Court (OVG) Berlin-Brandenburg dismissed a police complaint regarding the camp's condition, which included the demolition of treehouses. After a string of contentious demonstration days in May, featuring a massive police presence and multiple protest marches, the protests have been running smoothly without major incidents.
Inspections by the assembly authority and the state forestry office have largely gone without incident, the environmental ministry reported. "No deterioration of the situation was observed," according to their report.
Nevertheless, the Brandenburg Interior Ministry continues to view the camp as problematic, and a definitive resolution regarding the forest occupation has yet to be reached. "The legal basis regarding the management of protest camps, particularly treehouses in forests, remains unclear," a spokesperson for the ministry said.
The ministry is also concerned about the potential hazard from unexploded ordnance buried beneath the ground. "The likelihood of encountering World War II munitions in the area of the Tesla expansion is considerable," the spokesperson said. "The fact that such munitions have only been discovered outside the 'camp' thus far is due to the absence of any exploration thus far."
The planned construction of a freight railway station and logistics zones, which would necessitate additional deforestation, is the focus of the activists' opposition. The citizens of Grünheide had largely rejected this expansion, prompting a reduction in the scale of the planned deforestation.
The Brandenburg Ministry of Economics also expressed reservations regarding the woodland protest. "Actions such as these are detrimental to the overall economic development of Germany," a spokesperson said. "The community approved the revised building plan with a firm majority. Therefore, the Ministry of Economics has no significant concerns at this time."
Tesla has been mum on the matter, with no response to requests for comment from the company. According to the forest occupiers, there is no direct contact between the activists and the company.
Tesla continues to pursue its plans for facility expansion, including the construction of a new factory and site expansion. However, the company is bideing its time, awaiting increased sales growth. Plant manager André Thierig expressed a critical perspective: "We're producing electric vehicles here, not oil refineries or whatever," he told the German Press Agency.
The "Tesla stop" initiative interprets Tesla's slower expansion as a victory. "Elon Musk and Tesla no longer enjoy the same public support they once did," the spokesperson stated. "The company has weakened slightly."
However, the Ministry of Economics refutes this analysis. "Tesla's decision to link the factory expansion with overall organic growth is a rational response to current market conditions in the automotive sector," the spokesperson clarified. Tesla has unequivocally committed to the Gruenheide locale and expansion with the state government, as demonstrated by the ongoing approval procedures.
The activists have announced that a "hot phase" is forthcoming before Tesla can proceed with expansion. Before the sale of the necessary forestry operation areas to the company can be approved, a specialist committee within the state parliament must grant their consent. If the sale becomes more imminent, additional initiatives have also pledged demonstrations and protests.
The activists have voiced their concerns about the manufacturing of motor vehicles at Tesla's factory, particularly the planned expansion that includes the construction of a new factory and site expansion. Despite Tesla's slower expansion due to market conditions, the activists are preparing for a "hot phase" of protests to halt the sale of necessary forestry operation areas to the company.
The ongoing protests against Tesla's factory have led to discussions about the potential eviction of the activist camp in the woods. The Higher Administrative Court (OVG) Berlin-Brandenburg dismissed a police complaint regarding the camp's condition, but the Brandenburg Interior Ministry continues to view the camp as problematic.
