Activists expose the chain of destruction in Germany
 Listen to the update from Les about the scene in the mill this morning.
12 March 2002
It's the early morning, long before sunrise. We are at the Fritz
Offermann sawmill in Preussisch Oldendorf (a small town in northern
Germany). At 5:20 am the activists enter the mill's log yard,
which is filled with giant tree trunks from ancient forests in
western Africa.
By 5:40 am, an international team of 13 activists occupied the crane. Dozens more are chained to the logs (some of the logs are almost two meters in diameter). Other activists begin painting, "Urwalder Retten" [Save Ancient Forests] on the logs.
The scene is illuminated with powerful floodlights from across the canal where a base camp is set up. The morning is cold, about eight degrees centigrade, but everyone is bundled up and ready for a long stay.
 With the Ancient Forest Summit coming in April, and only 20 percent of the world's ancient forests left intact, we are out to set an example for the world's governments by blockading uncertified ancient forest wood all over Europe. Sandra,
Greenpeace forest campaigner, explains why Greenpeace is here
today.
6:34 am: The mill owner has his workers start the crane, and he is moving it around with activists chained to it. Some activists are secured to the rail the crane moves along, over a dozen meters off the ground. They will be crushed if the crane assembly moves too far.
 He is saying that they will use the crane all day like this, even with people chained to it. The activists hold their ground and call his bluff. The crane stops moving.
8:00 am: The sun is well up now. There are some police on the scene. They are monitoring the situation, but do not seem to be about to arrest anyone just yet.
Two banners are on the crane. The one across the top reads, "Kein Holzaus Urwaldzerstorung" [No Wood From the Destruction of Ancient Forests]. The other hangs over the canal and reads, "Urwalder Zerstort Deutschland Macht Mit" [Ancient Forest Destruction...Germany Joins In].
10:00 am: Situation stable. Activists chained to logs and crane have been brought food and hot drinks by boat from the base camp across the canal. They are settled in for the duration.
12:10 pm: Greenpeace campaigners are meeting with the police and Mr. Offermann junior, son of Fritz Offermann, who owns this mill.
There are now two police boats, and at least half a dozen police cars.
12:15 pm: It begins to rain.
1:05 pm: The meeting is over, but the outcome is not very encouraging. Mr. Offermann refused to admit that he was buying wood from the companies we know are logging destructively in ancient forests. Even after Sandra, a Greenpeace campaigner, offered him proof that his suppliers are, in fact, engaged in unsustainable logging, Offermann refused to deal with the issue.
However, they have agreed to meet again at 4 o' clock today. There is still some small hope that they will come around.
 1:25 pm: The port o' potties have arrived. Anticipating a long stand-off, Greenpeace has brought in two portable toilets, and placed them just across the canal from the protest.
4:00 pm: Sandra, and other Greenpeace representatives, are meeting again with the owners of the saw mill. This time Fritz Offermann senior also shows up.
4:45 pm: The meeting is over and the results are discouraging. The Offermanns seem unable to even acknowledge that there is a problem. The activists dig in for the night.
7:20 pm: Some of the activists have come off the logs and are resting up. They will work in shifts through the night to occupy the crane.
 10:00 pm: During the night, TWH, a German organization that provides disaster relief, set up giant flood lights of their own (in addition to the Greenpeace lights). A few police also stay on the scene to monitor the situation.
Late at night, Offermann junior manages to get up the ladder to the catwalk at the top of the crane. Apparently, climbing over some activists and pushing others trying to block the ladder. At the top, two activists, Jens and Barbara, block him from going any farther. Offermann tries to push his way past Jens to get to the control cab, but Jens keeps his grip on the railing and will not move. Eventually, Offermann climbs back down.
Then all is quiet until morning.
You can also take action by telling your government to stand up for the last ancient forests at the Ancient Forest Summit next month in the Hague.
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