Issue and Opponent: The DEGES, the primary road and highway construction ministry of Germany, sought to clear out the Dannenrôder Forest so that they could construct a new road through the land.
Dilemma Action: The protestors stayed in tents and used hammocks to create camps within the forest. The group’s physical presence and non-violent demeanor meant that the DEGES would have difficulty moving forward with their planned excavation of the forest without the removal of the protestors first. Furthermore, media coverage of the movement raised awareness of the heavy-handed methods of repression and removal of its protesting members.
Outcome: The activists were unable to prevent the felling of the trees, and many faced criminal charges for their actions in the protest. However, the groups considered it a partial victory, given the media attention and media sympathy, and inspired further environmental movements within the country.