Tesla's Berlin gigafactory faces fierce protests over expansion

The demonstration in front of the Tesla factory near Berlin was not the calmest. Protesters wanted to enter the building, and the police had to use force to prevent this.

There has been considerable controversy surrounding the Tesla Gigafactory in Grünheide, near Berlin. Plans to expand the facility have caused deep dissatisfaction among residents, who had already complained about the pollution generated by the facility.

Despite resistance and the authorities blocking the expansion, Tesla does not intend to give up on this issue. This, in turn, causes protests in which activists have also engaged. The most significant escalation of tensions could be observed in March 2024, when factory operations were suspended for eight days due to sabotage.

A large demonstration was planned for May 10 at the factory gates, which led to the employees of the suburban Berlin centre being sent home. In retrospect, this was a good decision—the protests, which gathered about 800 people, quickly intensified.

In the evening, participants tried to storm the factory grounds but met with police resistance. According to a Reuters agency report, clashes occurred, resulting in many protesters' injuries. The police confirmed these reports.

The demonstration was mainly about the issue of factory expansion, but lithium mining, a critical raw material for battery production, was also addressed. Activists pointed out that the mines created for this purpose generate unimaginable environmental damage.