Tesla Grünheide: Almost 80 criminal charges after protests - decision on expansion pending

The protest against the US electric car manufacturer Tesla is expected to continue after several days of action in Grünheide near Berlin. A protest camp against the only European car factory of company boss Elon Musk was disbanded on Sunday, but some alliances announced further actions or wanted to reserve the possibility. The police reported that they had recorded 76 criminal complaints and temporarily detained 23 activists since Wednesday. Five of these activists were brought before a magistrate, but all individuals were eventually released from custody. According to the police, the complaints mainly related to violations of the Assembly Act, coercion in road traffic, acts of resistance, breaches of the peace, and property damage.

Activists wanted to warn of environmental hazards

With the days of action, the activists wanted to warn of environmental hazards, which Tesla denies. They are also protesting against the planned expansion of the factory site, which the Grünheide municipal council is expected to discuss on Thursday. About 12,000 people work in the car factory in Brandenburg, which has been manufacturing electric cars for around two years. Part of the factory is located in a water protection area. On Saturday, there were clashes between activists and police during a protest march. The police had a large presence in Grünheide.

Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Robert Habeck (Greens) criticized the content and form of the protest. In Grünheide, the boundary of the protest was the perimeter fence of the factory site. Beyond this boundary, the protest turns into criminality, Habeck told the Funke media group. He argued that the protest was misguided in principle because it was directed against any car factory.

"But no one can have an interest in a Germany without car production. We are advocating for the cars of the future to be produced here — and for jobs and value creation to be maintained here. And Tesla is also building such cars," said the minister.

Brandenburg's Prime Minister Dietmar Woidke (SPD) thanked the police from several states. Thedeployment was important to ensurethat the assemblies could even take place and that they remained largely peaceful despite some injuries.

Protests continue

For the municipal council meeting on Thursday, the "Turn off the tap on Tesla" alliance wants to be present. The protest against the expansion of the Tesla factory will continue, said spokeswoman Esther Kamm. The “Stop Tesla” initiative also intends to continue. The “Water Occupation” at Fangschleuse station will remain, said spokeswoman Caro Weber. The "Disrupt Tesla" initiative is keeping further protests open. Should the municipal council vote for an expansion contrary to the citizen survey, "Disrupt Tesla" will definitely return, said spokeswoman Lucia Mende.

Clashes at Protest Demonstration

On Saturday, around 2000 people, according to the alliance "Shut Down Tesla," participated in a protest march to the car factory. The police reported more than 1000 participants. There were clashes with the police, and fireworks were set off. During the clash, officers used "simple physical force," the police stated. One person was taken into custody. An officer was slightly injured. The demonstration proceeded without major disturbances.

On Friday, there were riots on the outskirts of the Tesla factory premises. Several activists tried to penetrate the premises, and the police stopped them using pepper spray and batons.

"This system doesn't care whether it's Tesla, VW, or Mercedes – car companies and their political supporters are responsible for the sale of our livelihoods," said the "Disrupt Tesla" spokesperson.

She accused the police of acting violently. The "Shut Down Tesla" alliance sees dangers for the groundwater and demands a departure from "climate-damaging individual transport." The Grünheide citizens' initiative believes Tesla and the Brandenburg state government do not sufficiently consider the interests of the people in the region.

Planned Expansion is Controversial

Tesla wants to expand its site to build a freight station, storage space, and a company kindergarten. According to previous plans, around 100 hectares of forest would have had to be cleared for this. However, a significant majority of Grünheide's residents spoke out against the expansion in a survey. The community then proposed that only 50 hectares of forest be cleared. On Thursday, the community representatives will discuss the development plan. The automaker also wants to expand production—from 500,000 cars a year, which has not yet been achieved, to one million cars. Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) hopes for an expansion. Brandenburg has great economic growth, Scholz said on Saturday during a talk round of the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland (RND) with regard to Tesla.

"It is controversial, as we notice, but I hope they will double their production even further."

Elon Musk is Surprised

Tesla CEO Elon Musk expressed his irritation over the protests.

"Something very strange is happening as Tesla is the only car company being attacked!" he wrote on the X platform.

The company consistently denied allegations of water pollution and pointed out that its water consumption is below the industry average. The company did not produce on Friday—this was due to the bridge day after the Ascension Day holiday, according to a spokeswoman. After an arson attack on a power pole, Tesla had to stop production in Grünheide for a few days in March. A leftist extremist group claimed responsibility for the attack.