Environmental protesters try to storm the German Tesla factory

Protesters opposing the expansion of electric car maker Tesla’s factory in Grueneheide, near Berlin, clashed with police on Friday when some of them tried to storm the factory.

About 800 people took part in the protest, according to organizing group Disrupt Tesla, which claims the expansion would damage the environment.

A Reuters video showed dozens of people wearing blue caps and face coverings emerging from a nearby forest area and attempting to storm the company’s premises as police officers tried to prevent them, including with force.

At least one protester was arrested.

“Why do the police release the left-wing demonstrators so easily?” Writing on his social media platform X, Tesla CEO Elon Musk added that the protesters failed to break through.

The video also showed medical personnel helping some injured people.

“We are here today to draw attention to the Tesla factory in Grunheide for the destruction of the environment here,” Disrupt Tesla spokesman Ole Becker told Reuters.

According to Becker, the group also wants to draw attention to the environmental destruction in countries such as Argentina or Bolivia caused by lithium mining. Lithium is an important raw material for electric vehicle batteries.

“We protect freedom of assembly,” said Brandenburg police spokesman Mario Heinemann, “but we are also responsible for public order and safety. This means that we also intervene when necessary.”

Police confirmed that protesters attempted to enter the factory grounds but were prevented, with several people taken into custody, and that some reports of injuries had been received.

Some protesters damaged some Tesla cars using pyrotechnics and paint at a nearby car warehouse, the police spokesman added.

Tesla said earlier this week that it will close the factory for one day on Friday, without giving a reason.