Freiburg Activists Resist Forest Clearing for Housing Development

Police continue operations to remove activists occupying treehouses in protest of planned deforestation for a new residential area.

Activists have occupied a forest in Freiburg to protest the clearing of trees for the construction of a new housing district intended to accommodate 16,000 residents.
The police operation to remove protesters began on Saturday and has resulted in multiple arrests for violations including assembly bans and forest regulations.
Despite cold temperatures, some activists remain in treehouses, refusing to leave the area as trees continue to be cut down.
Authorities have initiated at least nine investigations into individuals for offenses such as violating the assembly law and wearing masks during protests.
The city of Freiburg, facing chronic housing shortages, has designated the forest area for the development of the Dietenbach neighborhood.