Plane Stupid activists on Heathrow runway in climate protest

13th July 2015

12 climate change activists from anti airport expansion direct action group, Plane Stupid, got onto the north runway at 03:30am this morning at Heathrow Airport by cutting through a fence, in a peaceful protest against proposals to build a new runway.

The protesters say that going ahead with the recent Airports Commission recommendation that a third runway should be built at Heathrow will make it impossible for the UK to meet its climate change targets.

The skies above Heathrow are already the busiest in the world, and demand for flights is driven by air fares that are kept artificially low by generous tax exemptions. The activists say that if the aviation industry paid more of its environmental costs then there would be no pressing need for a new runway. Nine of the top ten most popular routes out of Heathrow are short haul, including destinations such as Paris, Manchester and Edinburgh which all have existing rail alternatives.

Ella Gilbert, an activist from Plane Stupid who is on the runway, said:

“Building more runways goes against everything we’re being told by scientists and experts on climate change. This would massively increase carbon emissions exactly when we need to massively reduce them, that’s why we’re here.We want to say sorry to anyone whose day we’ve ruined, and we’re not saying that everybody who wants to fly is a bad person. It’s those who fly frequently and unnecessarily who are driving the need for expansion, and we cannot keep ignoring the terrifying consequences of flying like there’s no tomorrow.

No ifs, no buts, no third runway. And we mean it.”

Updates – https://twitter.com/planestupid

Roundup of Actions Against Fossil Fuel Infrastructure in Vermont and NY (PHOTOS)

July 7th, 2015

from Rising Tide Vermont

* 150+ w/dozens occupying the tracks in Ticonderoga to ‪#‎StopOilTrains‬.
* Four arrested blockading VT fracked gas pipeline construction.
* TWAC still locked down to CNG truck on way to IP mill.

Disrupting Vermont Gas Systems

from Burlington Free Press

About 30 protesters disrupted work at a Vermont Gas Systems construction site in Williston on Tuesday morning.

Four protesters were arrested on suspicion that they unlawfully trespassed to stop work at the construction site, said Williston police Chief Todd Shepard. Williston police had given protesters until 7 a.m. to move.

Vermont State Police, Essex police and South Burlington police were also on scene. Shepard said about 14 law enforcement representatives had arrived by the end of the protest.

Thomas Buckley, 34, of Westford and Martha Waterman, 25, of Charlotte chained themselves together across a ditch digging machine. Avery Pittman, 25, of Burlington was later also chained to Waterman.

Buckley, Waterman and Pittman were taken into custody before 9 a.m. Grayson Flory, 28, of Los Angeles was also arrested after refusing to leave the site at 310 Hurricane Lane.

All protesters arrested were carried from the site by law enforcement, but they did not actively resist arrest otherwise, Shepard said.

Each protester has been released from police custody and issued a citation to appear on Thursday in Vermont Superior Court in Burlington, Shepard said.

Occupation of the Tracks

Flotilla

from Rising Tide Vermont: More than a hundred people converged in Ticonderoga, NY today for a flotilla and symbolic blockade to ‪#StopOilTrains.

Yesterday marked the second anniversary of the Lac-Megantic oil train disaster, in which a train carrying fracked oil exploded and leveled the small Quebec town, killing 47 people.

In the so-called Champlain valley, tens of millions of gallons of fracked oil are transported annually along the lake, and industry is making plans to start bringing tar sands through.

TWAC Throws Down

from Rising Tide Vermont: “Our friends at the Trans and/or Women’s Action Camp (TWAC) also stopped a truck on its way to deliver compressed fracked natural gas to International Paper. One person has locked their body to the back of the truck preventing it from making a delivery. Fracked gas by truck is just as dirty and dangerous as fracked gas in a pipeline!”

(TWAC is a group of activists who identify as Trans*, Transgender, Genderqueer, and Gender non-conforming as well as anyone who identifies as a woman regardless of whether they were assigned female at birth)

Released from Jail!!!

The four people who were arrested this morning blocking the construction of the fracked gas pipeline have all been released. Please share and donate to our legal fund to support this fierce escalation of resistance against extreme energy! Donate to our legal fund at: http://bit.ly/J7legal

Germany: Giant Coal Excavator Occupied 145315

from Hambach Forest and here (German Language link)

June 6th, 2015

(The occupation is ongoing)

Last night at 1 am, four activists occupied a large bucket wheel excavator in the Inden opencast mine. They climbed to the top of the excavator about 70m high. The machine halted is one of the largest machines in the world that normally destroys 24/7, literally churning the landscape. In Inden lignite is promoted for RhenAish mining area above ground, that is: Everything is about being in the way and will be destroyed; who lives about is expropriated and expelled. Where villages, fields, meadows and woods once stood inconceivably huge holes appear in the landscape, an industrial wasteland to the horizon. Of all of the energy sources, lignite, is ridiculously inefficient, releasing huge loads of CO2 and particulate emissions, and the conversion of power supply to renewables sabotaged with inflexible “baseload plants”.

The event is also a solidarity greeting from the resistance against the Rhenish lignite mining area to the resistance against the meeting of the G7 in Elmau. There is a presumption that this political elite of globalised capitalism wants to define the solutions to the problems that they themselves have created , The G7 did not even have the decency to pretend to democratic legitimacy – they coordinate as the oligarchic government of the world, simply because they can. This meeting of global power elite has no other aim than solidifying their dominance.

It remains in the separation between industrialized countries and those that may be exploited as sources of raw materials and foreign markets. The G7 bear most of the responsibility for the global climate collapse, but the consequences are so far mainly to other parts of the world, and the climate refugees left behind – which unfortunately is terribly often fatal by the inhumane border policies of the industrialised countries. This meeting is nothing more than the most powerful criminal cartel of the world – so stop the G7!

“If four people can paralyze a giant excavator for several hours in such a gentle way …”

“… What might happen if only a small part of all the frustrated people of the society were pulled in the same direction?” – From the Action Statement

It was often said that it is when it comes to climate protection, it is “11:55″, and that the world must act. But the world is not still, and someone has to start somewhere times. In the Rhenish lignite mining area was also often trying to stop through the legal and democratic influence on politics, the displacement of people and the destruction of the Hambach forest. These experiences have shown that the decision-makers from the social power elites will always give priority to profit interests – as long as we give them the choice.

This blockade is not a further appeal to the politicians, to finally use their power for good, because we do not trust the policy makers anyway. The weaponry of the blockade draws a clear boundary: thus far and no further – Respect existence or expect resistance! This action is an appeal to all those who are ready to assume their responsibilities: Deserting from this system of industrial destruction, you defied him, the matching of forms of resistance against it – and then let it decompose.Together we will replace it with something better! If four people in such a gentle way, can paralyze a giant excavator for several hours – what might happen if only a small part of all the frustrated people of this society pulls together? If we want to bequeath a habitable planet, there must be a thorough change from below. This occupation can only be the start.

Even a small reminder: For the beginning of August, the Alliance mobilizes “end area” to a mass blockade of an open pit in Rhineland. Here should be made possible to low threshold level a broad mass of people, access to civil disobedience and resistance. In addition, each of the four forest occupations in Hambach forest clearance is constantly under threat, and also on the currently relatively safe occupation meadow near the forest there are many points of contact for motivated people …

Together we can make the capitalist lignite madness put an end!

The habitability of the planet is at stake, precisely now.

So Let’s do it!

PRESS RELEASE

Bucket wheel excavator in the brown coal mine Inden occupied

District of Düren. In the night from Friday to Saturday, a bucket wheel excavator in the open-cast mining inden was occupied. Four people climbed at 1am to the top of the engine at an altitude of about 70m. One aim of the campaign is to bring the progress of the mine for a few hours to a halt. Secondly, the occupiers explain in their action statement solidarity with the protests in Elmau against the meeting of the G7.

“For the three lignite mines in the Rhineland are entire villages and forests permanently destroyed forever,” says one participant action. “We have a responsibility for future generations. Simply ask to politicians, and then complain that there is no change, is not enough. “As early as on 15 March, there had been in a similar Inden opencast mine excavators occupation by six people, interrupted in the course of the operation of the excavator for twelve hours.

Today’s blockade will also release a sign of protest against the meeting of the leaders of the seven largest industrial nations in Elmau. “There is a presumption that this political elite of globalised capitalism wants to define the solutions to the problems that they themselves have created,” it says in the action statement. “If we want to bequeath a habitable planet, there must be a thorough change from below. This occupation can this be just an impulse. “

The action is still ongoing.

They can be reached under the number 0157 32 48 23 40 and are O-tones are available. (In regard to the cell phone battery but only to a limited extent.) You can also reach activists, the direct contact with the excavators occupation hold, on the meadow occupation under 0157 541 36 100th

16:30 rest. Excavators easily accessible.

People from the area are welcome to come to the open pit edge.

“It is possible to get pretty close here.”, Said grade with an activist by telephone, who grew up in the vicinity of the open pit. “From the village Schophoven there are only a few dirt roads until man stands in front of our excavators.”

Excavator in 70m height

14:15 A fire truck arrived.

Some people climb further down the excavator around and to get an idea of the situation. The police can not see them.

Morning

13:00 twelve hours are managed.

The machine stands still; “We are now the only ones here on the excavator!”

Morning

12:00 location quiet. Clothes dry again

Still no police. The clothes are now again mostly dry. “We having quite cozy here. Earlier a dog-walker wavedat us. “

Morning

7:00 No more police

The day dawns. Another photo in brightness reach us via MMS.

Still no police. Only an ambulance is around.

3:00 Police sniffs

Less than 10 Polizist_innen appear, climb up a piece and try to communicate.

“We’re fine!”, The activists call back.

After some time, the police disappear

If four people can paralyze a giant excavator for several hours in such a gentle way … … what might happen if only a small part of pulling all the frustrated people of the society in the same direction? – From the Action Statement

Staffed 1:00 excavator

People arrive at the open pit and climb the bucket wheel.

Some were lying down in the early evening with blankets in the woods and a little pre-sleep.

Now they are drenched by thunderstorms and full of oil from the excavators to 70m height and try to curl up under a tarp.

Wrong Decision – Bradley Mine Approved by Inspector

On Wednesday (3/6/15) it was announced that UK Coal's application to mine 520,561 tonnes of coal from a site called Bradley, was approved. The site is currently agricultural land in Leadgate, Durham, UK. This is a highly contested site with really strong and well orchestrated opposition from local people. Why is this a bad decision? … Continue reading “Wrong Decision – Bradley Mine Approved by Inspector”

Why is this a bad decision?

* The community were so very clear that there was NO COMMUNITY CONSENT * One woman (the planning inspector) thinks she can decide whether a mine would offer 'national, local or community benefits which would clearly outweigh the remaining adverse impacts.' How can she possibly say yes when the community SAYS NO. * We are moving away from a reliance on coal (but not quickly enough) with two coal fired power stations announcing closures next year * The company pursuing the application will not directly operate the site as they have serious financial difficulties and had to be helped by the government in closing their last remaining deep mines and were order to sell off their remaining opencast mines

As the following history of the application shows, the coal company refused to take no for an answer being determined to sell on the mine with planning permission. This is not the end of the battle. We need you to think about what you are going to do to ensure that this piece of rural Britain is never dug up. We need to stand together to protect the livelihoods, families, local history, quality of life, homes, air quality, tranquillity, health, wildlife and ecosystems in this area. Even if the legal battle is over the fight is not. Get in touch with your suggestions info@coalaction.org.uk

History of the application.

UK Coal’s first application was rejected by planners in 1986. In 2001 a second application was rejected.

In February 2011 the planning hearing of Durham Council unanimously rejected the application, councillors called UK Coal "thugs," "vandals" and said they were trying to bribe them.

In Autumn 2011 there was a three week appeal which UK Coal lost.

The coal company took this to the High Court in London who said that the decision was perverse and ordered another appeal.

The second appeal happened in Autumn 2014 and lasted three weeks. It was well attended by local people, tens of whom spoke out against the mine with incredible passion, dedication and knowledge. From the team at The Coal Action Network

For more info on similar issues check out

http://www.coalaction.org.uk

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Coal-Action-Network/429163990497895

HAMBACH FOREST: LIVING ON THE BARRICADES

Hambach Forest Defenders are presently blocking RWE’s open cast lignite mine

Hambach Forest Defenders are presently blocking RWE's open cast lignite mine from expanding with living barricades and towers which in turn are protecting access to the three forest tree sits with platforms, treehouses and interconecting walkways.
The Hambach Mine ironically named after the forest it is destroying is Europe`s largest net CO2 polluter and it is record breaking antropogenic climate change, one of the largest planetary extinctions and increasing waves of climate refugees that are reminders and ultimate global shout-outs that eco-justice is social justice.

After the attack, eviction and arrest of 3 activists during the destruction last week of "Pirate Ship" living platform barricade not 3 days have elapsed and we have errected a new tower barricade. Almost 3 times higher than the last one we have named it Remi`s Tower to honor Remi Frese, a climate activist who was killed by a police concusion grenade during the strugle of Zad de la Teste in Southern France. That death is reflective of increasingly higher stakes of global ecological struggle and at least 2 enviromental activist dying each week. For these that refuse to be silent and passive in the face of this onslought our hearts and minds are with you.

Hambach Forest Defenders.

http://earthfirstjournal.org/newswire/2015/06/02/germany-an-update-from-hambach-forest-defenders/

hambacherforst@riseup.net

Germany: An Update from Hambach Forest Defenders

June 2nd, 2015

The defence of the the Millenarian Hambacher Forest against the encroching RWE open cast lignite mine continues with activist-build towers and live-in barricades. The Hambacher Forest is not only one of the last Millenarian Forests in Europe but also the largest on the edge of mostly deforested area of Ruhr Valley and the Belgium, Netherlands, Luxemburg region hence its importance to biodiversity and animal migration corridors.

The lignite mine fought through direct action methods by the activist living in the forest for the last 3 years has been devouring towns, villages, whole forests and draining the watertable for up to 70 kilometers and is also the largest in western europe and Europe’s biggest net CO2 emmiter.

The scale of the mine itself being 12km across and nearly half a killometer deep conjures analogies of Mordor or SciFi Prison planet with the diggers being the world’s largest machines feeding the conveyor belts delivering the coal to rail links supplying the power plants on the edge of the mine itself and throughout this region . This in turn pales in comparison to the global and externalized costs of lignite as a climate chaos agent and a number one source of mercury contamination in worlds oceans.

The Hambach Forest Struggle continues to experience periodic police intrusions, arrests and desctruction of barricades which are protecting three forest tree-sits: Oaktown, Beechtown, and CrustyTown which are spread throughout the forest. The arrest result in solidarity actions and demonstrations and relatively short releases.

This is not something that can be said about the irreversible habitat destruction that continues day and night and sadly after partial victory of having the costs of evictions and police actions being deferred to the RWE concern the German Forestry department started filing complains about the forest being blockaded against the machinery send to destroy it and the taxpayer and the German State resumed again picking up the bill for the repression of eco-activists and ecological destrucion.

For that reason we urge all who choose to pursue the avenues of civic action to put grassroots pressure on the appropriately named Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture in Bonn (www.verbraucherlotse.de) Monday to Thursday from 9:00 bis 17:00 Telefonnummer 02 28 – 24 25 26 27, per E-Mail info@verbraucherlotse.de, 53168 Bonn und unter der Fax-Nummer 02 28 – 68 45 72 20.

For those in the struggle to protect the Earth through direct action we urge you to visit us and follow the struggle and become a part of global community of resistance.

Our present demand and wish list includes as always planetary eco-justice followed by walkie talkies, 12v batteries and solar panels.

In Solidarity,

Hambach Forest Defenders!

Didcot Camp Action Round Up: 18 actions against the fossil fuel industry

Blockades, shutdowns, lock-ons, love-ins, tripods and nanas…..Reclaim the Power’s day of action against the fossil fuel industry today (1 June 2015) saw 18 different actions drawing the dots between big energy firms, government ministers, public relations companies, oil arts sponsorship and the fracking industry.

Let’s take a run-down of the day’s events…(more text and pics coming soon!)

Action 1: 9.04am – Npower’s debt collection and pre-payment meter office in Leeds blockaded

We’ve all had the threatening letters from energy companies demanding payment for bills we can’t afford – and today we hit back. Reclaim the Power groups visited RWE Npower’s offices in Leeds and blockaded the front doors. Many households are forced onto pre-payment meters which are more expensive than direct debit accounts.

Action 2: 9.08am – Delegates at World Coal Association conference locked out of Institute of Directors

The coal industry are trying to continue burning fossil fuels by dangling the promise of Carbon-Capture-and-Storage technology. Conference delegates at a World Coal Assocation event found all five entrances to the exclusive Institute of Directors blocked this morning. There no arrests but lots of marigolds.

Action 3: 9.09am “Wind not gas” protest at DECC

Cheeky protesters highlighted the continued fossil fuel bias within the Department for Energy and Climate Change by blockading its steps. Rowan Tilly explained, “Against the advice of their own Committee on Climate Change, the government has approved the construction of up to 30 new gas-fired power stations, and intends to go ‘all out’ for shale gas – with up to two thirds of the UK licensed for fracking. This new dash for gas is recklessly at odds with our national and international obligations on climate change and must be resisted, for both the sake of ourselves and future generations.

“We are now finding ourselves at a stage where we don’t know where government ends and corporations begin and unless we act now we will soon find ourselves be locked into infrastructure which will burn carbon for years to come whilst killing off renewable energy, with political decisions ruled by profit and acting in ignorance of the blatant dangers of climate change. We simply can’t afford to let this happen.”

Action 4: 9.10am – Invesco’s Revolving Door between government and Drax

Continuing this theme, Reclaim the Power activists visited the offices of Invesco – the investment management company which owns 26% of Drax coal-fired power station in Yorkshire. New DECC junior minister Andrea Leadman worked at Invesco for 10 years before taking up her post in government. The revolving doors were literally blocked and banner dropped above the London Wall road.

Action 5: 9.30am – Polishing a turd: office occupation of Media Zoo

Public relations firm ‘Media Zoo’ represent chemicals giant Ineos – who have recently pledged £640 million investment in fracking. Eight activists occupied their offices in Imperial Wharf, London carrying a banner banner reading, ‘Fracking is Shit. You can’t polish a turd.’ They used arm tubes lock ons to stay put. Seven people were arrested around lunch time.

Mediazoo’s website boasts extensive experience of dealing with “industrial disputes”, “fatal accidents” and “child labour”. They are consulting Ineos on PR and media strategy. The CEO of Ineos Upstream Gary Haywood said, “I want Ineos to be the biggest player in the shale gas industry.” Mediazoo were responsible for what UNITE described as Ineos’s “campaign of fear” during the dispute at Grangemouth oil refinery in Scotland when 1400 workers fought cuts to pay, jobs and pensions.

Action 6: 9.45am – Anti-nukes visit Carmargue PR firm

As well as representing RWE Npower, public relations firm Camargue also spin the work of Horizon Nuclear Energy. 12 protesters targeted the firm’s offices in Soho. Clare Jones said, “The public has a right to be informed about the real dangers of nuclear – from cancer to contamination to climate change. For the cost of building one nuclear power station you could build over 1000 offshore wind turbines.”

Action 7: 10.25am – Energy UK lobby group blockaded

Energy UK is the trade body for the Big Six energy companies. They have lobbied the government to introduce the ‘Capacity Market’ into the recent Energy Act (2014) – which uses public money to subsidise new gas power stations. Three people blockaded the entrance, including two in an arm tube lock on. There were two arrests.

Action 8: 10.30am – Big Six Love-in at Oxfordshire Conservative Party headquarters

Action 9: 10.55am – RWE Npower headquarters in Swindon blockaded

Action 10: All morning – Subvertising in Oxford

Action 11: The Bill of Wrongs at British Gas HQ near Oxford

Action 12: 12.11pm – Lancashire Nanas link fracking and gas-fire power stations at Didcot B

Action 13: 1.00pm – Van Gogh’s ‘Sunflowers’ rebranded by Shell

Action 14: 1.00pm – Avonmouth Biofuel plant invaded

Action 15: 1.30pm – “No stone left unfracked” Tripod fracking rig erected at London City Hall

Action 16: 1.41pm – Edelman PR firm deliver first fracked baby (trigger warning)

Action 17: 2.00pm – Blockade of Cuadrilla offices in Lichfield (again!)

Action 18: 2.30pm – Occupation of Imperial College’s Department of Mining

Reclaim the Power – Didcot and beyond!

Five days to go – here we come Didcot!

Programme’s up and packed full of treats.

In less than a week’s time Didcot Mass Action Camp 2015 will be in full swing and we’re counting down the days and raring up for a wicked weekend.

Set-up and start: Friday 29th May
Finish: Tuesday 2nd June 2015
Facebook event here

We’ve got a packed schedule this year including the ‘Ministry of Dissent’ – a one-stop shop for skilling up and taking action with trainers on board all day. There’ll be the good people of Barton Moss speaking about how to set up an energy co-op and activist friends from Rojava will be talking about how to set up an entire autonomous region!

A range of trainings are scheduled from organisations working on the frontline of social change in the UK right now, including London Black Revs and UK Uncut, with Fuel Poverty Action taking on the ‘Big 6’ and community mobilising with DPAC (Disabled People Against Cuts), and we’ll hear news about what’s coming up with the Paris climate talks in December, and from friends in the Rhineland about holding off Big Coal there in August. Closer to home, we’ll also be hearing from Frack Free Lancashire about the imminent decision in June, and how we can come together to say no to fracking – not now, not ever.

There’s also a comedy double bill and music in the evening and time for us to dance and play, and get energised and ready for our big day of action on Monday.

Check out the full programme here.

The site will be announced on Friday the 29th – keep your eyes on our website , Facebook and Twitter

Volunteers wanted!

Everyone’s invited to get involved in making this camp awesome, and there’s a wide range of volunteer roles available that we’re looking to fill. Specifically this includes:

kitchen crew
experienced child-minders
qualified first-aiders
experienced tranquillity/well-being crew
media savvy people to help out in the media tent
gate and comms
welcome tent crew
water and plumbing
a dedicated crew of TAT-down on Tuesday (taking down camp)

If you’re up for helping with any of these roles then please let us know via our Facebook page or drop us a line at info@nodashforgas.org.uk – thanks!

Germany: Police and Security Clear Barricades in Hambach Forest

Police, RWE and securities appeared at the occupations in the Hambach Forest.

28 April 2015: At around 11 o’clock, police, RWE and securities appeared at the occupations in the Hambach Forest. They cut several climbing ropes, imposed dismissals and surrounded the living barricade.
This is not the first time climbing ropes where cut as a sabotage. This is a life threatening and useless action on behalf of the police and RWE.
This happens after the ‚dialog‘ in the state parliament in Düsseldorf with the police, the ministry of internal affairs, the parties, RWE and the regional initiative on the 20th of April this year. After the annual general assembly of RWE last week and the human chain in Garzweiler last weekend.
This is supposed to be the energy transition and the dialog that is held. The interest of economy and those who are payed by them are in the foreground. On the 21th of may, the administrative court in Aachen will decide if the meadow occupation could be immediately evicted. This is a callout to all people who want to resist against the destruction of landscape.
Pics of the action [here]

News

06:28 am
Night is passing and a new day is rising… at the moment one person is in front of the police station, with banners and information. The police told to register a picket(?). If not the banners should be removed. the outcome remains open…

05:50 am
During the night, the persons in front of the police station was switched. It remains calm with no rain. Come around and bring breakfast. Hof coffee and tee are welcome.

02:37 am
A sign of life from the cellars of the courts of this city. The press and a person in front of the police station are determined to stay until our friend is released. In front of the police station, a guitar is playing and from the cellars one can hear the Anti RWE song from Mona&Hummel. You can listen to it here: http://monaundhummel.noblogs.org/musik/

01:28 am
Blankets, Matrasses and rice to eat have been brought. Here you can find a film documenting the assaults of the RWE security against activists. They are apparently talking about the supposed digger occupation of 06.04.2015.

01:20 am
Greetings from the police station in Kalk, we are preparing for a long night.

00:05 am
Several people are at the police station in Cologne/Kalk, to show solidarity with our arrested friend. She is happy about support, as well as blankets, hot tee and cups. The hot chocolate is almost gone! Come around!

23:30 pm
We are online again and have installed a press location and an EA in Cologne. If you want to know more about the course of events around our arrested frend. This number is reachable around the clock: 0049 15753511306

18:oo pm
We just received the sad message that a friend of ours, who has previously been held captured in Hürth, has now been transfered to the prison n Cologne/Kalk. A release is not in sight. As she has been locked on, they charge her pf ‚resistance against executory officers‘We send you power and strenght… . The police operation was commissioned by the regional forest department Rhein Erft. One of the many institutions which are closely related to RWE and who support the depletion of the Hambach Forest, as has been shown in the last years during similar operations.

16:31 pm
The police retreated from the forest. Apparently the operation was enforced by the forest department of NRW.

15:30 pm
Heavy machinery of RWE is still on it’s way through the forest and on the former highway A4, clearing the barricades. The first supporters are arriving in front of the police station in Hürth.

14 pm
More police cars/trucks arrive and drive towards the forest occupations.

13:50 pm
RWE evicted the Hedgehog with the help of police, now they cut a swath of destruction through the forest.

13:30 pm
The police just announced that the person locked in the Hedgehog has been brought tot he police station in Bergheim, accompanied by a medic.

12:50 pm
The person in the Hedgehog is evicted. They will start with the destruction of the habitat.

12:30 pm
The situation around the Hedgehog is tense. There, RWE security and diverse police departments have surrounded the place and plan to destroy the barricades in the forest and evict and destroy the Hedgehog (a big, living barricade). On person locked themselves in the Hedgehog to stop further useless destruction of nature with their own body.
The Hedgehog is located at the former meeting point in the forest, where some RWE securities stole a statue of Christ a few months ago.
Apart from this, the helpers of nature destruction have left the meadow, Oaktown and Beechtown for now. Arrested people are set free, nothing else is known so far.

12 pm
People are arrested in the Hambach Forest

11:40 am
Activists are surrounded and dismissals are imposed

Also, support the Hambach Defenders on 16 May:

from Hambach Forest Occupation
Support the environmental movement. Meadow under legal pressure

We at the Hambacher Forest have been resisting environmental destruction by the largest coal mine in Western Europe for the last three years experiencing 3 major evictions and numerous police and security actions. Now we are facing a new peril. Our support camp with its vegan kitchen, theater, infoshop and 2 libraries, numerous living and guest spaces is facing legal proceedings in Aachen on the 21st of May with a demonstration of support on May 16th in Cologne.
The Meadow Support Camp has become a canvas for building with strawbail, green roofs, renewable energy and biodynamic farming. It is also a home to many activists including two families with children. Supporting at the same time two forest occupations, direct action campaigs and public events.
We would like to call for international solidarity and support in the form of legal assistance in Germany as well as internationally. Please contact the court involved:

Demonstration on the 16th of May
Against coal mining in rheine area
Cologne / Ehrenfeld 14 o‘clock

Prozess on the 21st of May
Achen Administrative Court
Adalbertsteinweg 92
im Justizzentrum
52070 Aachen
fax 0241 9425 83204
tel 0241 9425 0

This is the court that will be attempting to use building code regulations to destroy structures in the Meadow Support Camp. It is the same regulations that are regularly used against earthship, straw bail and other informal architecture and spaces in favor of resource extraction rich(wasteful and destructive) habitats and interests.