A climate activist kneels in front of a huge excavator near Lützerath: A photo of the impressive scene was awarded – now it is a case for the judiciary. The activist has been charged with the action.
Erkelenz (dpa / lnw) – A climate activist has to go to court because of a symbolic excavator blockade documented in the “NRW press photo of the year”. When asked by dpa, a spokesman confirmed that the man in the award-winning photo had been charged with trespassing. The activist knelt in front of a huge lignite excavator with his arms outstretched and was reported by RWE.
Climate activist Winfried Bernhard told the dpa that he would defend himself at the hearing on Monday (12.30 p.m.) before the Erkelenz district court. He also called several witnesses. According to a court spokesman, Bernhard is accused of going to the closed opencast mine edge near Lützerath in March last year.
The activist justifies his action with the fact that the excavator moved illegally close to Lützerath at the time. At that time there was still a farmer’s farm there, who was the last one to stay there. A photographer present for a press conference by activists happened to document Bernhard kneeling in front of the excavator. Her picture, titled “Unperturbed,” was later named press photo of the year by the state parliament.
Climate activist Bernhard caused a stir in January because he smeared mashed potatoes on the photo exhibited in the state parliament in protest against the eviction of Lützerath. After a report of suspected damage to property, the investigation is still ongoing in this case.
