Protests in Lützerath
NRW Interior Minister Reul warns Greta Thunberg to de-escalate
Before the large-scale demonstration near Lützerath planned for Saturday, North Rhine-Westphalia’s Interior Minister Herbert Reul (CDU) called on the Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg, who was expected there, to de-escalate.
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Herbert Reul calls on Greta Thunberg to de-escalate. (archive image)
“In NRW, everyone is allowed to demonstrate, including Ms. Thunberg, who is traveling from afar,” Reul told the “Bild” newspaper, according to a statement on Friday. “I hope she makes sure her fellow campaigners stay peaceful and stick to the rules.”
The Swedish activist had announced her visit near Lützerath on Saturday in the short message service Twitter in order to defend the former village against the threat of excavation of the coal underneath. After the evacuation of the settlement against the resistance of activists had already begun on Wednesday, the police continued their action on Friday.
Thousands of protesters expected
Against the background of the sometimes violent protests against the police, the CSU criticized Thunberg’s arrival. Stefan Müller, parliamentary director of the CSU state group in the Bundestag, pointed out that the activist was driving to Lützerath, although police officers there were being attacked with stones and fireworks. “With her visit, Thunberg knowingly makes common with these criminals,” he said “Bild”.
In Kreyenberg in the Rhineland, which, like the neighboring town of Lützerath, belongs to the city of Erkelenz, a broad protest alliance is expecting more than ten thousand demonstrators on Saturday. The initiatives All Villages Remain, Fridays for Future and BUND, among others, are involved.
(AFP)