Hambach Forest occupied again

Since the climat- and reclaim the fields camp in germany, the Hambach Forest ist occupied again, by climat activist. There are activists living at plattformsin the trees since more than 2 weeks. The Hambach Forest is one of the oldest forest in middle europe, but already more than 4/5 of it is destroyed for open cast mining. The open cast mining in the Rheinland (between Colonge and Aachen) is the biggest climat killer in all Europe. The forest gets destroyed year by year, so that RWE the coal company (wich is the mother company of N-Power) can open cast the land. Also big villages getting destroyed for the open cast mining. Last year the forest was occupied by climat activist, the wohle spring and summer, and got evicted in automne. The eviction was the longest eviction that happened in germany, because of the tunnel system (the only god system is a tunnel system!). After the eviction activists squatted a meadow next to the Hambach Forest, wich is still occupied. In the end of august the climat- and RTF Camp took place close to the Hambach Forest. With over 500 Participants it was the biggest climat camp since 5 years in germany. More than 200 people blocked the Hambach coal-rail for half an day. In the end of the climat- andd RTF-Camp activists occupied the Hambach Forest again. Now it is occupied since more than 2 weeks. Police was there on monday to inspect the plattforms and blockading-tools, and was not realy happy. In looks like the eviction might come the next days. But maybe they want to wait after the big elections in germany this sunday. So there might still be time to come over! See you in the forest.

Here’s a video about the occupation:http://vimeo.com/74042113

and about the coal trail blockade: http://vimeo.com/73938171

and a video about the RTF-action: http://vimeo.com/73514620

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Police and RWE committing theft, assault, property damage (once again)

In the early hours of friday (02.08.13), the repression agents were in the forest once more. Not far from the meadow occupation they took a shower cubicle and destroyed the compost toilet. The attackers quite obviously knew they were doing something wrong – they tried not being seen during these actions. As the meadow squatters realized what’s going on in the forest, the shower was already packed away, and roughly a dozen police surrounded the toilet, aided by a few RWE thugs armed with a dog. It couldn’t be seen what’s going on around the toilet – several vehicles were standing ready some distance away, but the only one getting through was a small tractor, which was used to smash the toilet to pieces. After doing enough damage (and just leaving the remains) they began their retreat, and apparently had a problem with being filmed and photographed on the way to their cars. A member of the occupation was assaulted by a known police officer who has shown violent behaviour in the past (see here) – a camera was snatched from the squatters hand and destroyed by crushing the lens. A small scuffle followed, one person was wrestled to the ground and bound by handcuffs, but the broken camara could be retrieved. The arrested person was told he would be taken to the station for ID processing – the police started looking for his identification only after they have been told to do so several times, their intent was clearly on taking the person with them – after the ID was found they had to release him. After this the police made a hasty and nervous retreat, being fully aware that they were breaking the law repeatedly during this action. The data on the broken camera could be recovered, and we’re reserving our right to publish footage of violent police behaviour.

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Garden Tools for Climate Camp

Soon it’s time, in a few weeks (August 23) the camps in the rhine area will begin. Many people, many colourful workshops, but not enough tools for all the nice things we are planning to do. From pails to big water barrels, hammers, nails, building wood, pickaxes or wheelbarrows, everything is needed!

Take your unused or old tools directly to the camp or to the occupation on the meadow near Morschenich. Below you’ll find a list of tools we need most. It doesn’t matter if parts are damaged or they’re not on the list, we have a use for everything!

Bring it over and support the climate movement in the rhine brown coal area!

Tools we need (among others):

Spades
Pickaxes
Shovels
Rakes
Scythes
Wheelbarrows
Pails
Water Barrels
Wood
Nails
Hammers

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Police in Hambach Forest, evicting shower and ropes

On the 12th of July at around noon police removed the shower of the meadow squatters, and two ropes which were put up between trees. Later a concert took place at the spot where the shower used to be.

Armed with heavy equipment the police joined forces with RWE security personnel to accomplish this honorable mission. A bulldozer was used o remove the shower and the walls around it. The ropes, which were put up for practise purposes were removed using a cherrypicker.

“Once again the Düren Police has been played for fools by RWE, they used them to carry out this embarrasing action” says Helene Marck of the meadow occupation, adding: “Considering that the chief of Düren Police, Mr. Spehltahn, is also on the board of directors of RWE, this behaviour is no reason for wonder.”

Around 60 people were attending the acoustic concert of US-based “Blackbird Raum”, which took place on the very spot of the police action, sending a strong message to the organs of repression.

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