Protesters and Activists Clash as German Tree House Evictions Continue

Police and activists clashed during a protest against the clearing of the Hambach Forest near Cologne, Germany, home to activists living in tree houses, as the evictions continued on September 17.

Footage shows police in riot gear pushing activists back as they marched with a banner reading “On trees against coal. Hambach Forest remains”

The activists built the camp in order to block the expansion of a nearby coal mine and have been living there for the past six years.

Deutsche Welle reported that the RWE energy company, which owns the forest, intends to clear some 100 hectares (247 acres) of land to expand the nearby Hambach mine, already Europe’s biggest open pit coal mine.

They said that 14 activists were detained on Sunday. Credit: @Scout80292671 via Storyful