The Sterrebos in Born must be evacuated. The police, the municipality of Sittard-Geleen and the Public Prosecution Service have given orders for this. The activists of Save the Sterrebos are pulled from the trees by the police. Follow the latest developments in this live blog.
09:30 am – A lot of police force around the Sterrebos area
It can also be seen that some officers have rope to climb into the trees.
09:24 – Six more activists in the trees
Currently, six activists remain in the trees. The police and fire brigade are trying to get them out.
09:14 am – There is a lot of police in and around the Sterrebos
09:09 – Campaigner Maarten thanks people for support
Maarten, member of Red het Sterrebos, has been staying in one of the trees since the start of the occupation
A message from Maarten who has been in a tree since Friday 28 January to #Star forest to protect against the hood. #thanks #RedHetSterrebos Hold on! A bat is not that easy to catch! pic.twitter.com/bEz2B84CQe
— RedHetSterrebos (@RedHetSterrebos) February 8, 2022
08:40 am – Save the Sterrebos: ‘A terrible pity’
The action group Save the Sterrebos calls it a “terrible pity” that the police are switching to evacuation of the forest: “The forest can now be cut down and VDL shows that they have not listened to us. The few saplings that are being moved can never be an entire forest and habitat,” said a spokesperson.
On social media, the action group calls on people to show their support.
08:35 am – Police demolish ‘home’ of activist Maarten
The police are now climbing up Maarten’s house and have already demolished the house and banner. #RedHetSterrebos pic.twitter.com/zRZ7CMvc2Q
— RedHetSterrebos (@RedHetSterrebos) February 8, 2022
08:27 am – The entire area around the Sterrebos has been cordoned off
08:18 am – Police arrive at the Sterrebos
07:22 – Municipality of Sittard-Geleen: police are going to clear Sterrebos
The police started clearing the occupied forest next to VDL Nedcar on Tuesday morning. The activists are being pulled from the trees. The area in the vicinity of the forest has been cordoned off. The national road N276 between Sittard and Susteren is closed due to the eviction.
The activists have been occupying the forest since Friday, January 28, in an attempt to prevent the forest from being cut down. VDL wants to cut down the forest to enable the expansion of the Nedcar car factory.
Also read: Sterrebos demonstration ended: police clear area
