“We will not be silenced!” Help the Association for Nature and Landscape in Brandenburg (VNLB) and the Grünheide citizens‘ initiative in the fight against Tesla
A local politician is taking the VNLB, which emerged from the Grünheide citizens‘ initiative, to court to prevent important educational work on Tesla’s machinations. We will not put up with this. This is exactly where civil society is needed now! Donate money for legal support and come to the trial on October 6.
Since Tesla settled in Grünheide, the Grünheide citizens‘ initiative and the VNLB have been doing important work to protect drinking water and preserve the environment. They have repeatedly brought problems caused by Tesla into the public eye and shown how politicians have rolled out the red carpet for Tesla.
But now a representative from local politics wants to make this educational work much more difficult in court. He is seeking an injunction to ensure that certain statements can no longer be made. Specifically, it concerns a statement in which the VNLB criticized the intertwining of local politics and Tesla. The aim of this intimidation is to ensure that Tesla-friendly policies can no longer be publicly criticized. But we will not let that happen.
“We will not be silenced!” Help the Association for Nature and Landscape in Brandenburg (VNLB) and the Grünheide citizens‘ initiative in the fight against Tesla
A local politician is taking the VNLB, which emerged from the Grünheide citizens‘ initiative, to court to prevent important educational work on Tesla’s machinations. We will not put up with this. This is exactly where civil society is needed now! Donate money for legal support and come to the trial on October 6.
Since Tesla settled in Grünheide, the Grünheide citizens‘ initiative and the Verein für Natur und Landschaft in Brandenburg e.V. have been doing important work to protect drinking water and preserve the environment. They have repeatedly brought problems caused by Tesla into the public eye and shown how politicians have rolled out the red carpet for Tesla.
But now a representative from local politics wants to make this educational work much more difficult in court. He is seeking an injunction to ensure that certain statements can no longer be made. Specifically, it concerns a statement in which the VNLB criticized the intertwining of local politics and Tesla. The aim of this intimidation is to ensure that Tesla-friendly policies can no longer be publicly criticized. But that would be even nicer if Tesla could now continue its machinations without criticism.
Such lawsuits are not uncommon, and there is even an established term for them: SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation). SLAPPs are used by powerful actors to sue journalists or other critical individuals or groups. These attacks are less about the actual violation of rights. Rather, the aim is to prevent and intimidate critical reporting.
„We are facing a cease-and-desist letter precisely because our work exposes issues that local politicians and Tesla do not want to see in public. Instead of putting obstacles in our way, Tesla should be monitored much more closely. But we will not allow them to silence us!“ says Manu Hoyer, chairwoman of the VNLB and member of the Grünheide citizens‘ initiative.
The VNLB and the Tesla critics do not want to accept this intimidation and have lodged an objection to the cease-and-desist declaration. A hearing is scheduled for October 6 at the court in Frankfurt Oder.
What is needed now is a lot of attention. Because that is exactly what local politicians and Tesla are trying to prevent. Mark your calendars for October 6.
We also need financial support to be able to conduct the trial. Take part in the fundraising campaign at https://www.goodcrowd.org/slapp-anzeige-gegen-bi-gruenheide