Today in the morning the forest has once again been invaded by a contingent of RW€ and police. It seems to be a periodic barricade clearing only.

A Call for Support and Solidarity with the Forest Activists goes out: please document this action in person, online and if possible visit the occupation and offer your support.

Timeline of the Police Intrussion:

8:00 Information is received that cops are undertaking barricade eviction in the forest.

8:15 – Details: At Deathtrap 4-5 police vans, a few Security vehicles with heavy equipment. The clearing has not begun yet.

8:50 – The vehicle and bulldozer convoy starts moving through the forest. These are about 25 Police, 15 RW€ Security, 4 with cameras and three with dogs, a front loader, a tractor with and a trailor with the tail-end being a RW€ secu climate-killer SUV.

10:00 – The eviction-commando arrived at “Jesus Point” forest crossing.

11:00 – The Cops arrive at the exit/entrance to the forest going to Morschenich, it is not clear if this is the end of the action or not.

According to the recent statements of the local police a periodic barricade clearing actions will be undertaken when the barricades reach a certain critical size.

No arrests so far. Be aware of possible controls, even though there does not seem to be any around the Meadow itself.

An article has appeared with video from Deutsche Welle discussing how Hambacher Forest is at the frontline of the Climate Struggle. Also mentions the slow transition to renewables and lists many of the important dates and statistics.

Video Clip shows the Meadow, the meal with visiting Climate Defenders and an interview with one of the activists

http://www.dw.com/en/how-far-is-germany-from-a-complete-coal-exit/a-38214847

Wood Anemone has once again covered the forest floor with white flowers. One of the first plants to shoot up has been nettles now full of vitamins and being very tender perfect for spinach-like dish and pesto with the plant re-growing quickly after being cut. The tree leaves have not yet opened up but the lower forest canopy of shrubs and bushes is taking advantage of unobstructed sunlight to open their leaves first so the forest floor is beginning to look lush. Insects and migrating birds have returned as well.

The blooming plants are an excellent chance to identify many of the smaller medicinal herbs which are at other times are harder to spot and are easy to mistake for other look-alike plants.

For more info on the Hambacher Forest floowers, herbs and their medicinal and food uses check out: http://forestabloom.blogsport.de/