Environmental activists protesting the expansion of the US e-car maker Tesla outside of Berlin say they plan to occupy the forest near the factory for a week.
"The longer the occupation lasts, the better," said a spokeswoman for the Stop Tesla initiative on Friday.
The occupation of the wooded area in Grünheide near Berlin began late Wednesday night. Protestors said they've prepared themselves for the longer than expected stay.
The initiative called on other supporters to visit the camp and bring additional materials such as timber, saws, climbing equipment and hammocks. "We hope that more people will come by."
On Thursday, up to around 100 environmental activists, some of them masked, were at the camp, erecting tree houses several metres above the ground. The participants want to prevent the forest from being cleared for a Tesla expansion.
The electric car manufacturer wants to build a goods station, warehouses and a company kindergarten next to the existing 300-hectare factory site. More than 100 hectares of forest are to make way for this.
The police see no reason to dismantle the tent camp in the forest but are continuing to monitor events there. "They are still keeping an eye on it," said a spokesman. The protest in the pine forest can continue until March 15, according to a police decision.
"We are open to dialogue, but we will not be forced out of the forest," a protest group spokesman said.
A walk through the forest in protest against Tesla and a piano concert in the forest are also planned for this Saturday afternoon.
When asked, Tesla has not yet commented on the protest camp next to the factory - nor has the municipality of Grünheide. The environmental activists are receiving support from a local citizens' initiative.
