Activists led by Greta Thunberg clash with police during protest of mine expansion in German village
![Greta Thunberg at a protest in Germany.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HDkvx43pbYw8xsAH8E7ztV-415-80.jpg)
Clashes with police continued on Tuesday as protesters descended on the abandoned German village of Luetzerath to try and stop the hamlet's destruction, which is slated to pave the way for the expansion of a nearby coal mine.
Climate activist Greta Thunberg was among those physically carried away and detained by police, who have been continually clearing out protesters from the area in recent days.
Law enforcement told BBC News that, contrary to some media reports, Thunberg had not been arrested. Rather, she was taken into custody after protesters "rushed towards the ledge" of the mine, and would be released later in the day.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
![https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516-320-80.jpg)
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Police added that none of the detained protesters would be charged.
The clearing of the village was part of an agreement between the German government and energy conglomerate RWE. According to Reuters, the deal will allow RWE to destroy Luetzerath in exchange for the company's quicker shift away from fossil fuels.
Despite the insistence of the German government, the protesters decried the move, and many have been seen fighting with protesters despite the continuing work to raze the village.
Some of the protesters had already been camping out at Luetzerath for days prior to this week's events, clashing with police even as the bulldozing of the village was getting underway.
"What everyone does matters," Thunberg told The Associated Press prior to her arrest. "If one of the largest polluters, like Germany, and one of the biggest historical emitters of CO2 is doing something like this, then, of course, it affects more or less everyone — especially those most bearing the brunt of the climate crisis."
Jan. 17, 2023: This article has been updated with additional information about Greta Thunberg.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other Hollywood news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
-
Magazine solutions - August 2, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - August 2, 2024
By The Week Staff Published
-
Magazine printables - August 2, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - August 2, 2024
By The Week Staff Published
-
'In a normal country, their activities wouldn't even be crimes'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
4 tips to make your home more eco-friendly
The Week Recommends You don't have to spend a bunch of money to make more sustainable choices
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Is Hurricane Beryl the sign of another dangerous storm season?
Today's Big Question Climate change is fueling the frequency and intensity of storms
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
What is NASA working on?
In Depth A running list of the space agency's most exciting developments
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Extreme weather events in the last year
In Depth These events are becoming more common thanks to climate change, and are "affecting every corner of the world"
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Fish around the world are shrinking
Under the Radar Smaller fish in a very, very big pond
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
What are rogue waves and what causes them?
Under The Radar Once dismissed as mythology, the 'giant colossi' are now taken very seriously
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
The biggest climate records in the last year
In Depth The number of records set in the past year is a stark reminder of the destructiveness of climate change
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Inside Siberia's 'megaslump' – and why it is getting bigger
Under The Radar The 'eerie sinkhole' is rapidly expanding and climate change is the reason why
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published