Activists announce further protest against Tesla plant outside Berlin
Following a vote by local councillors in favour of the expansion of the Tesla gigafactory just outside Berlin, opponents of the plans want to extend their protest and are considering legal means.
Talks are already under way with several nature conservation organizations, Steffen Schorcht, spokesman for the citizens' initiative in the small town of Grünheide, where the plant is located, said on Friday.
They want to sound out a possible lawsuit with these organizations, he said, adding that by working together, the initiative is building on the expertise of the associations in species and water protection.
On Thursday, the majority of Grünheide's council representatives approved the controversial expansion plan for the plant and an urban development contract with the US electric car manufacturer.
The car manufacturer wants to expand its site to include a goods station and logistics areas. Activists see considerable environmental risks in the plans because the site is located in a water protection area. They also oppose the imminent deforestation.
Other anti-Tesla initiatives announced on Friday are that they would continue and even intensify their protests. They now want to discuss how they will continue to act, said a spokeswoman for the "Tesla den Hahn abdrehen" (Turn off Tesla's tap) alliance initiative.
But one thing is certain: there will be further protests, she said. More and more people are becoming aware of the problems in Grünheide. She suspects that the protest will therefore grow and that the outrage will increase after the decision, the spokeswoman said.
