Lützerath (dpa/lnw) - The police made representations on Monday to the lignite village of Lützerath, which was occupied by activists. According to their own statements, the officials wanted to get "a picture of the situation" in the hamlet, as they announced. A spokesman spoke of a "site inspection" in which Lützerath was circumnavigated on the paved paths. Incidents were not initially known. The operation took place in the snow.
The police emphasized that their goal was "reconnaissance". The operation does not represent the beginning of an evacuation. "However, it is essential to ensure professional and appropriate preparation for the operation," it said in a statement. It had recently become known that the police were planning an evacuation in January.
Lützerath near Erkelenz in the Heinsberg district is to be dredged for coal extraction. Activists who want to fight for the place live in the houses whose former residents have moved away. They don't see any "necessity in the energy economy" for dredging and burning the coal. Lützerath is now regarded as the crystallization point of the climate problem.
The activists spoke of a "demonstration of power" in view of the police operation. "The government is showing that it wants to push through an eviction in an authoritarian manner at any price," said a spokeswoman for the "Lützerath is alive!" With. The activists called for opposing a possible eviction in January in a "colorful protest".
