- Unauthorized Encampment in Harz Ceases Existence
Unlawful Enclave in the Harz Shuts Down
The districts of Göttingen and Goslar, along with the Lower Saxony State Forests, publicize in a joint statement that the illegal enclave in the Harz has departed. The enclave, housing over 1500 individuals from 63 nations at its peak, declared its disbandment on September 3rd.
For almost three weeks, the so-called "Rainbow Family" members had inhabited a roughly 200-hectare piece of a protected landscape region near Bad Grund and Clausthal-Zellerfeld. The location falls under the jurisdiction of the unincorporated territories of Göttingen and Goslar's counties. Participants claimed the enclave was a symbol of peace and communion with nature. Authorities had implemented a ban on entering the area, frequently towed vehicles from forest roads, and confiscated tents.
In an initial assessment of the occurrence, known as the Rainbow Gathering, Goslar's district administrator Alexander Saipa (SPD) expressed frustration. The Rainbow Family disregarded legal regulations and conducted themselves in an "extremely disrespectful and careless manner," he alleged. He also harbored doubts with regard to the declared cleanup operation, citing the considerable litter generated by campers and the uncontrollable hazard to life and limb posed by unlawful bonfires.
Counties Laud Their Own Actions as Triumphant
However, a forcible eviction of the enclave was never under consideration. A police operation would have been financially impractical due to the size and inaccessibility of the terrain, said Göttingen's district administrator Marlies Dornieden (CDU) at a press conference a few weeks ago. Rather, multiple larger and smaller operations were undertaken, involving both the police and fire department. The total expenses for these interventions remain undetermined.
During these operations, 70 tents were seized, 97 vehicles were towed away, and several fires were extinguished, as per the statement. Furthermore, there were isolated skirmishes between campers and law enforcement. Consequently, the nitrate content in the soil had significantly increased, owing to open-air defecation in forest-dug holes.
The counties view their actions as a success, as danger has been averted. "Nonetheless, I will shortly engage in discourse with the state government to explore further actionable alternatives," Saipa announced.
In their free time, some members of the Rainbow Family enjoyed communing with nature within the illegal enclave. Despite the Goslar's district administrator's concerns about disregard for regulations and litter, the participants saw the enclave as a symbol of peace.
Following the disbandment of the enclave, the counties of Göttingen and Goslar can now allocate their resources towards maintaining the peace and preserving the protected landscape region.
