Source: AFP
Several hundred people demonstrated on Sunday against Tesla’s plans to expand its electric car factory near Berlin, citing environmental concerns.
The protest came days after Tesla’s Gruenheide factory was forced to halt production after a nearby electricity pylon was set on fire in a suspected arson attack, causing a power outage at the plant.
Last Tuesday’s act of sabotage was claimed by far-left activists from the “Vulkangruppe” (Volcano Group) and federal prosecutors have taken over the investigation.
Sunday’s protest was organized by a coalition of environmental groups including Extinction Rebellion, Nabu and Robin Hood.
Organizers said more than a thousand protesters took part in the demonstration, with local media putting the number at around 800 people.
Organizers said they were calling for a “secure water supply” and “real climate protection” and were protesting the “capitalist false solutions” of Tesla owner Elon Musk.
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Protesters oppose Musk’s plan to expand the Gruenheide factory, south of Berlin, by 170 hectares (420 acres), from its current size of 300 hectares.
The American company aims to double production to one million electric vehicles per year. The Gruenheide site is Tesla’s only European factory.
But the plans have irked environmentalists and residents who worry about the deforestation required for the expansion, impacts on local water supplies and increased road traffic in the area.
A local referendum recently saw over 60 percent of respondents vote against the proposed expansion, although the vote was not legally binding.
Annika Fuchs, a member of the environmental group Robin Hood who took part in the protest, said she wanted local authorities to respect the result of the vote.
“It’s really important for us to take seriously the opinion of citizens here,” he told AFP.
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![](https://images.yen.com.gh/images/8c9e03e393349d24.jpg?impolicy=cropped-image&imwidth=256)
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However, not all locals are against Tesla’s plans.
A smaller counter-protest was held Sunday in support of the Tesla factory, with participants citing economic benefits for the area.
Regional news agency RBB quoted police as saying around 200 people took part.
Source: AFP