The Heibo has been evicted, but we’re still alive. On 15 and 16 February 2023, the Heibo was evicted in a large-scale police operation. As the climax of a legal theatre that was absurd from beginning to end, an inspection was carried out by the Bautzen assembly authority on the morning of 15 February to check compliance with the conditions. One of the conditions was that all tree houses had to be removed by 23 January.By the way, a little fun fact: the general ruling also stated: “Particular care must be taken to avoid deep compaction and to avoid large-scale excavation.” Have you ever thought about what harvesters and gravel excavators do? Well, as was to be expected, the tree houses were still very stable and cosy on 15 February. Several days before the inspection, however, the police had already begun setting up a camp, including the THW(Technical assistance organisation). So it was no surprise that the assembly was immediately dissolved after the inspection and the police began to evict the camp. According to official figures, there were around 20 cops for every activist and a number of forestry and THW employees to boot. But where profit interests are at stake and sacred goods such as the completely outdated mining law are questioned, you can make a huge operation out of it. A huge operation to enforce the destruction of our home, the forest and the moors by force. A huge operation in the context of which #FreeFinn was arrested and is still in jail. Repression doesn’t just happen on the day of the eviction, but every day. But the eviction also showed us how much support we have. How many people suddenly offered their help and supported us around the clock. How many people don’t look away and get involved. Many thanks to all those who helped Heibo with many things, mostly less visibly, but just as importantly. The Heibo may have been evicted, but the battle is far from over. The Lausnitzer Heide is large and the KBO’s plans are gigantic in scale. The Würschnitz West mining site, which has not yet been authorised, would be an even greater catastrophe for the natural environment and the water balance, and we will not allow that to happen. There is also resistance in other places against the destruction of our livelihoods and for climate justice, and so we are fighting together. As long as this society continues to destroy its environment while only a few people benefit from it, we will oppose this destruction with everything we can. Because the Heibo lives on in all our experiences, relationships and memories.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)