'Human rights before mining rights': German villagers take on coal firm

Residents say they will not be ousted by energy firm seeking to expand the Garzweiler mine

A group of villagers living on the edge of one of Germany's biggest surface coalmines have vowed not sell their properties to the energy company RWE, and to mount a legal challenge against any attempt to oust them from their homes.

The protest alliance is the first coordinated effort in more than 10 years against the expansion of the Garzweiler mine in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia, which threatens the existence of 12 villages that are home to 7,600 residents. Demolition of the first four villages is scheduled to begin in 2023.