buried seeds
The last days of Lützerath
Garzweiler II is one of Europe‘s largest open-cast coal mines. Since the mid-20th century, the German government and energy companies have been relocating and destroying villages in the Rhineland mining area to expand coal mining operations. The demolition of villages for Garzweiler II began in the late 1990s and continues today. This has led to the relocation of entire communities, including Lützerath, sparking significant protests and resistance from residents and environmental activists. Lützerath became a symbol of resistance when climate activists occupied it to prevent the expansion of the huge coal mine. After a lengthy legal battle, the village was cleared by a large police operation in January 2023. Activists attempted to resist with treehouse structures and blockades, but after a few days, it was all over. Houses and structures were demolished, and the demonstrators were evicted.
This photo series captures the eviction of Lützerath, documenting the tension, the resistance, and the aftermath. It tells the story of a community‘s struggle against industrial expansion and the stark realities of the climate crisis. The images witness the activists‘ determination, the confrontations with the police, and the final moments of a village that became a battleground for climate justice.
