Police carry a demonstrator to clear a road at Luetzerath, Germany, on Jan. 10, 2023. (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
But reporters and witnesses on the ground near the town have said the majority of protesters have been peaceful, with one protester saying she has not seen any violence from police or demonstrators.
"Everything happened calmly, we were singing carols, then one of my comrades was picked up, and I was pulled with him," said Eire, a college student in her 20s.
Police have promised that those detained in the clearing operation will not be arrested, but they also noted that the protesters will be removed from the town and prevented from returning.
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Police carry away activists at the settlement of Luetzerath, Germany, on Jan. 11, 2023. (Andreas Rentz/Getty Images)
The show of force was made necessary as a result of an agreement that RWE,
the
On Wednesday, the company took to social media to urge protesters to cooperate with efforts to clear the town, arguing that the expansion of coal mining in the area is needed amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine
and the resulting energy crisis in Germany.
"Luetzerath coal is needed... during the energy crisis and thus use less gas in electricity generation," the company wrote.
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