Climate activist Greta Thunberg was arrested by police at a protest in western Germany on Tuesday, but was released after an identity check, multiple outlets reported.
Push the news: Thunberg, along with other activists, protested against the planned demolition of the coal town of Lützerath to make room for an expansion of the coal mine.
Details: Thunberg was taking part in a sit-in at the edge of the mine on Tuesday when she and other activists were arrested. An activist jumped into the mine, Portal reported.
- Three police officers escorted Thunberg from the site to a line of police cars.
- Police on Wednesday began clearing the area of hundreds of protesters, some of whom had barricaded themselves in the largely uninhabited village structures, erected watchtowers, camped in trees and even created a network of tunnels.
The big picture: Lützerath has become a symbol of the climate movement in Germany. It has been occupied by protesters in recent years after the town’s residents were evicted to make way for the long-planned coal mine expansion, CNN reported.
- Activists argue that expanding the mine will release large amounts of greenhouse gases and help prevent Germany from meeting its commitments under the Paris climate agreement, according to NBC News.
This story has been updated with additional developments.