Greenpeace very concerned about the safety of forest occupiers | 1Limburg

All the more so because mayor Hans Verheijen of Sittard-Geleen, supported by the police and the judiciary, refuses permission to let people bring protective clothing and sails into the forest against the strong wind and rain.

According to director Andy Palmen of Greenpeace Netherlands, there is a danger that the climbers in the trees will become so wet and cold that they can no longer go down safely.

Security check
Greenpeace previously provided a safety check in the forest, but this is no longer allowed. A spokesman for the mayor said on Saturday evening that people who get cold and wet can climb down from the tree. Although they are arrested on the ground, he said, “we have not asked anyone to climb a tree”.

Earlier this week, the mayor said he was still concerned about the safety of the occupiers. But on Saturday evening, there is little of that, a spokeswoman for action group Red het Sterrebos notes.

tractors
Palmen finds the mayor’s position unacceptable. “Those people need extra ropes and rain gear to protect themselves,” he said. “In this country, when tractors drive on the highway, the police allow everything. If some people climb a tree, they don’t even get a protective tarp against the rain.”

On Saturday morning, a large group of activists attempted to climb over the fences surrounding the forest. That led to the arrest of 15 people. A number of them nevertheless managed to penetrate into the forest and climb the trees. On Saturday evening there are still nine people in the forest. There were eleven, but two have since left, the spokeswoman said.

fences
The forest was occupied last Friday. The activists want to prevent it from being cut down. Owner VDL wants to expand the nearby VDL Nedcar car factory there. VDL has placed cameras and high fences around the forest to prevent people from walking in and out. Security also stops anyone who walks through the woods or wants to enter.