Police officers detain climate activist Greta Thunberg on the day of a protest against the expansion of the Garzweiler open-cast lignite mine of Germany's utility RWE to Luetzerath, in Germany, January 17, 2023 that has highlighted tensions over Germany's climate policy during an energy crisis. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay

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German Police Escort Activist Greta Thunberg and Others Away at Coal Mine Protest

By Destiny Marie

January 17, 2023

Greta Thunberg and Other Climate Activists Removed by Police at German Coal Mine Protest

BERLIN – On Tuesday, police in Western Germany removed Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg and other protesters from the edge of an open coal pit mine where they were demonstrating against the ongoing destruction of a village for the expansion of the mine.

The German government reached a deal with energy company RWE last year allowing the destruction of the village in exchange for ending coal use by 2030.

Environmentalists argue that this will result in significant greenhouse gas emissions and Germany is expected to miss its ambitious climate targets for the second year in a row. Climate activists also staged protests in other locations across Western Germany.