LTZERATH: The last two climate activists occupying a western German village to stop it making way for a coal mine extension left their underground hideout on Monday, marking the end of the police operation to evict them.

Already abandoned by its original residents, Luetzerath has become a symbol for resistance against fossil fuels.

Around 300 activists occupied the village, staking out emptied building and building positions in the trees, to try to prevent the expansion of the adjacent Garzweiler open-cast coal mine. Police launched an operation on Wednesday to clear the protest camp, making quicker progress than expected.

By Sunday, authorities had succeeded in removing all but the last two, holed up in a self-built tunnel under the settlement.

The end of the operation came despite a huge demonstration held on Saturday, attended by Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg. Police estimated that 15,000 people participated in the rally, but organisers put the turn out closer to 35,000.

Protest planners accused authorities of “violence” after clashes between police and participants, which resulted in injuries on both sides.

Energy giant RWE has permission for the expansion of the mine under a compromise agreement signed with the government, led by Social Democrat Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Under the deal agreed in October, Luetzerath will be demolished, while five neighbouring villages are spared. At the same time, RWE also agreed to stop producing electricity with coal in western Germany by 2030 — eight years earlier than previously planned.

Published in Dawn, January 17th, 2023