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The hamlet of Lützerath in the west of Cologne, which has long been part of RWE's operating area, is facing demolition in order to mine the 50-meter-thick coal seam layer underneath.[0] Activists living in the hamlet, which has been abandoned by its former inhabitants, have announced their opposition to the plan.[1] This resistance has been joined by climate activist Luisa Neubauer, who has called on supporters to join her at the village walk on Sunday and in the coming weeks.[2]

On Saturday, numerous activists traveled to the site, with shuttle buses taking them from nearby train stations to the rough terrain.[2] Several new tents were set up in a camp in a field in the neighboring district of Erkelenz-Keyenberg.[2] On social networks, initiatives called for people to take part in the resistance with the hashtag #LuetzerathUnraeumbar, among others.[2] More barricades were erected on the streets of Luetzerath, including activists concreting gas bottles into the roadways to make them impassable.[2]

The resistance is unbroken and has prominent support.[3] On Thursday, the Aachen Administrative Court rejected the urgent application of a climate activist against the eviction.[4] A police operation is thus officially legal as of January 10, and the occupation of Lützerath is, according to the court, "a danger to public safety."[3]

The argument of the governments that the open pit mine was necessary in terms of energy policy has been refuted by several expert opinions.[5] Greenpeace energy expert Karsten Smid considers the state government's argument that lignite is needed in view of the current gas shortage to be pretextual: "The coal under Lützerath would not be available for at least three years. It's of no use to anyone at the moment."[6]

The Christian environmental activists are also protesting the eviction of the village of Lützerath.[7] The initiative "Leave the church(es) in the village" announced several church services and vigils.[7] On Friday, Epiphany, there is to be a church service followed by a blessing of the houses.[7]

Radical climate activists are threatening the Greens with the prospect of "losing face" if they do not take a stand against the eviction.[8]

0. "Lützerath am Tagebau: Barrikaden, Workshops und Lock-ons: Aktivisten bereiten sich auf Räumung vor" WirtschaftsWoche, 6 Jan. 2023, https://www.wiwo.de/unternehmen/energie/luetzerath-am-tagebau-barrikaden-workshops-und-lock-ons-aktivisten-bereiten-sich-auf-raeumung-vor/28908166.html

1. "Lützerath: Aktivisten betonieren Gasflaschen in Straßen ein" Rheinische Post, 7 Jan. 2023, https://rp-online.de/nrw/staedte/erkelenz/luetzerath-aktivisten-betonieren-gasflaschen-in-strassen-ein_aid-82565459

2. "Lützerath vor Auftritt von Luisa Neubauer: Klimaaktivisten bauen neue Barrikaden" DER SPIEGEL, 7 Jan. 2023, https://www.spiegel.de/panorama/luetzerath-vor-auftritt-von-luisa-neubauer-klimaaktivisten-bauen-neue-barrikaden-a-9c774be5-2bde-4622-9611-112058452452

3. "Der Countdown läuft: So erbittert ist der Kampf um Lützerath" Mopo.de, 6 Jan. 2023, https://www.mopo.de/news/panorama/der-countdown-laeuft-so-erbittert-ist-der-kampf-um-luetzerath/

4. "Sternsinger-Aktion und Gebete in Lützerath geplant" RTL Online, 7 Jan. 2023, https://www.rtl.de/cms/sternsinger-aktion-und-gebete-in-luetzerath-geplant-16704c32-ca32-5614-845a-66a7a37b4131.html

5. "Braunkohlegegner wollen Abriss Lützeraths verhindern" tagesschau.de, 6 Jan. 2023, https://www.tagesschau.de/regional/nordrheinwestfalen/wdr-story-53003.html

6. "Räumung am 10. Januar: Klimaschützer wollen in Lützerath „um jeden Meter kämpfen“" Tagesspiegel, 6 Jan. 2023, https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/raumung-am-10-januar-klimaschutzer-wollen-in-lutzerath-um-jeden-meter-kampfen-9140133.html

7. "Häusersegnung und Gottesdienste: Protest gegen Räumung von Lützerath" katholisch.de, 6 Jan. 2023, https://www.katholisch.de/artikel/42944-haeusersegnung-und-gottesdienste-protest-gegen-raeumung-von-luetzerath

8. "Interview mit Mona Neubaur: „Dass die Kohle von Lützerath kurzfristig für die Verstromung gebraucht wird, ist ..." WELT, 2 Jan. 2023, https://www.welt.de/regionales/nrw/article242985729/Interview-mit-Mona-Neubaur-Dass-die-Kohle-von-Luetzerath-kurzfristig-fuer-die-Verstromung-gebraucht-wird-ist-schmerzlich.html

The hamlet of Lützerath in the west of Cologne, which has long been part of RWE's operating area, is facing demolition in order to mine the 50-meter-thick coal seam layer underneath. Activists living in the hamlet, which has been abandoned by its former inhabitants, have announced their opposition to the plan. This resistance has been joined by climate activist Luisa Neubauer, who has called on supporters to join her at the village walk on Sunday and in the coming weeks.

On Saturday, numerous activists traveled to the site, with shuttle buses taking them from nearby train stations to the rough terrain. Several new tents were set up in a camp in a field in the neighboring district of Erkelenz-Keyenberg. On social networks, initiatives called for people to take part in the resistance with the hashtag #LuetzerathUnraeumbar, among others. More barricades were erected on the streets of Luetzerath, including activists concreting gas bottles into the roadways to make them impassable.

The resistance is unbroken and has prominent support. On Thursday, the Aachen Administrative Court rejected the urgent application of a climate activist against the eviction. A police operation is thus officially legal as of January 10, and the occupation of Lützerath is, according to the court, "a danger to public safety."

The argument of the governments that the open pit mine was necessary in terms of energy policy has been refuted by several expert opinions. Greenpeace energy expert Karsten Smid considers the state government's argument that lignite is needed in view of the current gas shortage to be pretextual: "The coal under Lützerath would not be available for at least three years. It's of no use to anyone at the moment."

The Christian environmental activists are also protesting the eviction of the village of Lützerath. The initiative "Leave the church(es) in the village" announced several church services and vigils. On Friday, Epiphany, there is to be a church service followed by a blessing of the houses.

Radical climate activists are threatening the Greens with the prospect of "losing face" if they do not take a stand against the eviction.