German Tree Defence

On the 22nd of December people hindered the felling of a mature wood in the way of the new German A20 coastal motorway (300km long!). The road is planned to link W Germany to the cheap labour and new markets in Poland. (It won't help the high unemployment in East Germany or the unspoilt landscape and significant nature reserves there). There had been a camp at the site for 2 years, which was given up last summer due to harassment by locals.

The workers on site were extremely aggressive, threatening people with chainsaws and totally ignoring all health and safety rules, eg, trees fell to the ground just a few feet away from occupied trees. One protestor was badly injured in the back of the knee with a chainsaw as people stopped work by encircling the workers and trees.

More than half the trees on route were temporarily saved because they were occcupied and connected with rope but against official statements that work would rest till New Year the rest of the trees were cut down early on Xmas day. Further actions are planned. Fax action against tree surgeons planned for the 22 January.

TUSEK GmbH, Fax 0049 3998 222188; MTS GmbH, Fax 0049 39771 23586 or 0049 39771 23240 Contact: No A20, c/o JAPS, Fuerstengraben 30, 07743 Jena, Germany. gl.thuer.presse@ipn-b.comlink.apc.org Fax: 00 49 3641 449304