North Rhine-Westphalia: Greenpeace demonstrated for Lützerath

Düsseldorf (dpa/lnw) - With an action in front of the NRW Ministry of Economic Affairs in Düsseldorf on Wednesday, the environmental organization Greenpeace called for the preservation of the abandoned lignite town of Lützerath on the edge of the Garzweiler opencast mine.

North Rhine-Westphalia: Greenpeace demonstrated for Lützerath

Düsseldorf (dpa/lnw) - With an action in front of the NRW Ministry of Economic Affairs in Düsseldorf on Wednesday, the environmental organization Greenpeace called for the preservation of the abandoned lignite town of Lützerath on the edge of the Garzweiler opencast mine. The participants set up a metal cross several meters high in front of the ministry. According to Greenpeace, the X-shaped object stands for resistance.

Greenpeace demands that the lignite under Lützerath not be mined. The opencast mine has moved close to the site in recent months. The site belongs to the mining operator RWE. Activists want to prevent the site from being dug up.

"Minister Neubaur should take a clear stand against the destruction of Lützerath and protect the people and the climate," said Greenpeace climate expert Karsten Smid in the direction of NRW Economics Minister Mona Neubaur (Greens). "With a demolition moratorium for Lützerath, the minister can save the village and save hundreds of millions of tons of CO2," he emphasized. According to Greenpeace, 15 people took part in the campaign.

Last week, environmental activists demonstrated with a vigil and a symbolic sit-in in front of the Green-led Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Protection. An alliance of environmental and climate protection organizations said the place should be defended.