Following the evacuation of the settlement of Lützerath in North Rhine-Westphalia, there were further clashes between protesters and the police today. Employees also used batons and pepper spray again. A police spokesman confirmed this. Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, as one of several demonstrators, has now been taken by police from the demolition ledge of the Garzweiler open pit lignite mine.
Police confirmed that Thunberg was part of the group that moved towards the edge and was stopped and taken away. The mine has a sharp edge, staying there is dangerous and prohibited. A dpa photographer noted that Thunberg was picked up by three police officers and dropped after about 50 meters to carry out an identity check. Around 60 to 70 activists had already sat down near the edge of the demolition for a protest action.
There were already clashes between police and protesters at a rally on Saturday, when participants ran towards the village of Lützerath, which had already been cordoned off.