Grevenbroich. The new brown coal mine Garzweiler II was opened a few weeks ago. The biggest Bucket Wheel Excavator found it's new operation site and mines tons of brown coal every day.

The Excavator ist gigantic. The height is nearly 100 metres and the total length is more then 200 metres. Each of the eight buckets provides enough space to park a midsized van inside.

But not everyone agrees with the extension of the brown coal mine. Greenpeace activists protest against the devastation of villages and nature.

Some of them could reach the excavator and fix a huge "STOP" display high up in the air.

A TV teams interviews a young guy who fixed himself to one of the gigantic chains of the excavator.

Two very unanxious demonstrators reached the big buckets and fixed themselfs with a chain.

Some Police special forces were called. They were compaigned by two brand new water-cannon trucks.

I didn't take long till all demonstrators were arrested.

Meanwhile the demonstration goes on in the historic parts of Grevenbroich (the nearby city). No more peaceful demonstration at this time. Old tires are burning, Molotow-cocktails are thrown and the street is blocked by barricades.

Jürgen Freiherr of Grevenbroich, the founder of the brown coal industry in this area was pulled down from his pedestal and demolished.

The Police uses heavy equipment to fight against the demonstrants. The following night will become even more violent ...

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model, story and pictures by Holger Matthes 12/2001