Protesters near Tesla’s Gigafactory in Berlin, Germany, took to treehouses this week to oppose the company’s plans to expand its plant.
German police climbed ladders and dismantled rope structures on Tuesday, trying to clear the camp located in a nearby forest, reports Reuters.
The protest group, called Disrupt Tesla, claims the factory’s expansion will harm the environment. They argue that doubling the size of Tesla’s facility will destroy local forests and impact water resources.
Police said the camp had become unsafe, with protesters violating assembly laws and resisting authorities. Earlier this year, clashes broke out when some activists tried to storm the factory, Tesla’s only European gigafactory, which employs about 12,000 people.
“There are still people in the trees here who are resisting,” said Mila, a spokesperson for the protest group. She described the conditions as cold and slippery but said they would continue protesting despite the danger.
Some protesters left voluntarily after police announced the clearance on Tuesday, but others remained in trees and rope structures, police said. Efforts to remove them are ongoing.
The Disrupt Tesla group has also staged other demonstrations in the area, including blocking motorways and sitting on train tracks to disrupt rail service. They have called for mass protests on social media, accusing Tesla and CEO Elon Musk of causing environmental damage.