The debate about the protest camp against the expansion of the Tesla factory near Berlin is entering a new round. This Monday, the Potsdam Administrative Court will address the question of whether the activists in the occupied forest land near Elon Musk’s Tesla factory in Grünheide must comply with official requirements. It is unclear whether the court will decide on Monday.
The assembly authority had, among other things, asked the activists to dismantle the tree houses in the forest due to safety concerns. In contrast, the “Stop Tesla” initiative had submitted an urgent application to the administrative court. The court had therefore put the requirements on hold – until a final decision was made by Tuesday at 3 p.m. at the latest.
Violations of the requirements cannot be punished for the time being. Brandenburg’s Interior Minister Michael Stübgen (CDU) announced days ago that violations of the requirements could result in the camp being evacuated. A spokesman for the ministry said on Sunday that the court ruling would have to be awaited before further police action. Under certain circumstances, the conditions would have to be adjusted after the decision.
Citizens of Grünheide are against a Tesla expansion
The activists’ goal is to prevent the forest from being cleared as part of a planned expansion of the Tesla site with a freight station. They have been occupying the forest for weeks. Dismantling the tree houses is out of the question for them, as they are an essential part of the protest. A majority of the citizens of Grünheide voted against expanding the factory in a survey. In the conflict, the municipality of Grünheide suggests that only about half of the forest be cleared.
The protest camp is a thorn in Stübgen’s side. He fears mobilization within a violent part of the activist scene and sees increasing radicalization among some participants. This is also why he ordered an increase in police personnel around the camp. It’s about preventing possible attacks on Tesla and deterring “previously uninterested, violent” people who now feel motivated to come to Brandenburg.
According to the “Stop Tesla” initiative, more and more people are joining the protest. Of course we are trying to mobilize people, said a spokeswoman. This is nothing unusual at a demonstration. In addition, introductory courses for newcomers to the camp take place every day. According to the initiative on Sunday, “at least 80 people” are occupying part of the state forest.