Climate protest in Lützerath ends in violence: Thunberg complains about profit motives

Scuffles, storming of the mine and use of batons. The demonstration of the climate chaos in Lützerath is again accompanied by violence. Climate protector Greta Thunberg uses her appearance and calls for a global fight against climate change.

Lützerath - Riots broke out again at the demonstration against opencast lignite mining in Lützerath in North Rhine-Westphalia. Participants in the rally attacked security forces with fireworks, bottles and stones, the Bild newspaper reported. Hundreds of climate chaos also managed to overcome the barriers and penetrate into the opencast mine. The Aachen police warned people that falling into the pit at the edge of the pit was life-threatening.

There were repeated clashes between police and demonstrators on Saturday. The emergency services use mounted forces and batons to get the situation under control. Reporters at the scene said several people were injured.

There has been a shocking amount of police violence against people protesting for climate justice in #Luetzerath, Germany. #RWE’s profits and political deals obviously matter more to those in power than a liveable future on this planet 😢. pic.twitter.com/hUse8kfz4u

— 350.org Deutschland (@350Deutschland) January 14, 2023

Information about the number of participants varied widely. While the organizers of the demonstration reported around 35,000 people, the police estimated the crowd at around 10,000 people.

Thunberg appears at the Lützerath demo
During her speech, the Swedish climate protector Greta Thunberg accused the federal government of profit thinking at the expense of the environment. “How is it still possible that this is allowed to happen in this country, that it's all about money. Germany made a compromise with RWE and made a fool of itself.”

"Germany is really embarrassing itself right now."

Greta Thunberg condemned the forced removal of protesters from the village of #Luetzerath during a visit to the site. Climate activists have tried to stop the expansion of a coal mine there. pic.twitter.com/BMxJBBdOhw

— DW News (@dwnews) January 13, 2023

The founder of the "Fridays for Future" movement also appealed to the climate chaos in Lützerath not to let up. “People across the planet are following the events here today. We will continue the global fight against climate change and for social justice.”

Since Wednesday, the police have been clearing the site of the former village of Lützerath, which was occupied by the climate chaotic people. The forces were also attacked with Molotov cocktails. Because two people have barricaded themselves in a tunnel, the evacuation operation is not yet complete.

Source: Junge Freiheit