The Eviction Of Lützerath (2023)

Lützerath was a small village in the North Rhine-Westphalia lignite mining area and was demolished by the energy giant RWE in January 2023 in order to get to the lignite underneath. 

Germany is phasing out coal as an energy sector by 2038. But that hasn´t stopped RWE`S plans to expand their mines and wipe out Lützerath. However, scientific calculations have shown that the coal underneath Lützerath is not needed to guarantee the security of electricity supply in Germany. 

The resettlement of  residents had begun in 2006. The residents got new houses in a nearby development. By the end of 2022 Eckardt Heukamp, was the last resident to leave Lützerath, after years of taking legal action against RWE. As the last farmer at the Garzweiler opencast mine, he became a symbolic figure of the climate movement.

Since 2020, the small village has been firmly in the hands of convinced climate protectors and activists. They have created their own world with tree houses, huts and a communal kitchen. Fruits and vegetables were planted. A free bike repair station was available and climbing courses were given. The activists prepared themselves providently with action trainings. In addition to this, the village was secured with barricades in order to withstand an eviction for as long as possible. Nevertheless, on January 10th 2023, police units began to evacuate the village with extreme severity and violence. 

Lützerath and its people became a symbol of the fight against the climate change and failed climate policy, supported by the Green Party.