That POLICE has been working at the protest camp in the Langen urban forest (Offenbach district) since Wednesday morning. The officers will “track down the people and take them out of the location,” a police spokesperson told the German Press Agency.
Activists have occupied the area for a year and a half. They protested against the expansion of existing gravel pits and plans to clear forests for this purpose.
Over the years, the expansion of the gravel pit at Langener Waldsee has repeatedly drawn criticism from environmentalists. The environmental protection association BUND has tried to take legal action against the gravel mining decision to preserve the forest. In 2022, the Federal Administrative Court finally dismissed the lawsuit.
City: Camps are inconsistent with constitutional principles
The city of Langen saw its rights as an owner violated by the protest camp. It was recently said that the camp could not be reconciled “with democratic and constitutional principles”. Meanwhile, activists have repeatedly emphasized that they want to preserve nature.
The city only warned pedestrians about the area in late October. “The judge advised hikers and those seeking relaxation to avoid areas around illegal camps of forest encroachers,” the city government said. Public order police cordoned off a large area around the camp.
High damage was caused by protest camps
The forest itself was also badly damaged by camp residents. Nails and wood screws were driven into many trees, and amphibian protection fences were also destroyed. The damage caused is estimated at more than 200,000 euros.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:251112-930-280770/1
