A49 construction site: Activists have been occupying the Dannenröder Forest in the Vogelsberg district for a year, to prevent it from being cleared. There are many signs now that this is the case, that eviction is imminent. We were there and spoke to an occupier of “Forest instead of Asphalt”.
Barricades on forest roads block access
Since October 2019 is about that 300 years old mixed forest occupied. The occupation is part of a campaign to preserve the forest, to prevent, that for the further construction of the A49, for example 100 Hectares to be cleared.
Over the last few months, the squatters have built numerous small and large tree houses, some at dizzying heights. Narrow paths connect the small tree house settlements scattered throughout the forest, called barrios, which are still primarily used as sleeping places. We are currently working hard on this in many places, to relocate many parts of the infrastructure to the treehouses, says the activist, that takes us around the forest.
One of numerous tree houses
But it's not just the tree houses that are being worked on, Barricades also block forest roads, that lead into the forest. Some are (yet) improvised, others meters high and made from massive tree trunks or concrete blocks. The activists have been tirelessly preparing for the impending eviction for weeks.
They can also count on support from the surrounding communities. In addition to food donations, a lot of building materials also come into the forest directly from the nearest villages. No wonder, After all, many residents reject the planned further construction of the A49. However, it is primarily local companies that are involved in highway construction, including the Ferrero Group, who hope to gain a locational advantage at the expense of environmental protection.
In fact, that's what it looks like right now, as if the conflict is slowly coming to a head. Am 1. The clearing season officially begins in October and the responsible construction company DEGES Berlin could start felling the trees, if it weren't for the treehouses. That's why the activists are expecting the first attempts as early as September, to have the occupation evacuated by the police. That also suggests, that the police had already rented a village community center nearby, as a local resident tells us. The occupiers also report on her Twitter channel, that the police have been increasing their presence in the forest for a few days.
Increased police presence in the forest (Those: Waldstatt asphalt)
For the week of 7. to 13. September “Forest instead of asphalt” is therefore calling for various actions, including a long walk in the forest together on Sunday. Especially if the police start an eviction, await the occupiers, that many people come to the forest to support, the activist explains to us further. That's what it's all about, to show the Green state government, that highway construction would not be possible without a variety of resistance.
The response to calls, However, developments in and around the Dannenröder Forest and the A49 extension in Kassel have so far been low. Actually a miracle, The motorway does not just theoretically connect the struggles for climate protection and transport transition, but also very practically Kassel with the Dannenröder Forest.