On nuclear pasts
and radiant futures
Logo: SALT.CLAY.ROCK.
Artistic research
and exhibition

Exhibition research display object 6: Wendland Flag

24/12/12

The anti-nuclear movement in Gorleben and the forms of protest and resistance that were tested there shaped subsequent protest movements, initially in West Germany and later throughout the Federal Republic, and continue to influence the left's self-image to this day. In 1977, Gorleben was chosen by surprise as the site for a nuclear repository and reprocessing plant, whereupon a protest movement, consisting of activists, farmers and other politically committed people, emerged. Forms of protest included sit-ins and the occupation of trees that were to be cleared for the site. To this day, the Gorleben Trek to Hanover which occurred in 1979 was one of the largest anti-nuclear demonstrations in post-war history. In 1980, landowners spread stinking liquid manure over deep drill site 1004–a salt dome that was favored for the nuclear waste repository.

Flag of the Free Republic of Wendland, utilized by Wendland's antinuclear activists

On May 3 1980, around 5,000 anti-nuclear activists occupied the forest around deep drill site 1004 and declared the “Republic of Free Wendland.” The activists quickly set up a village with several buildings, supply facilities and a farm. The village was also rumored to also have a wind-powered well, greenhouses, a church, a bathing hut, an infirmary and a hot water shower heated by solar power. On 18 May, the radio station “Radio Freies Wendland” began broadcasting. Discussions, theater performances and concerts took place on its village square. A total of over 100 huts were erected. Around 300 activists lived on site at all times, and at times the population swelled to approximately 1,000 residents. The symbol for the Republic of Free Wendland was an orange sun on a green background.

 

This grassroots and democratically organized utopia lasted thirty three days. In one day, June 4 1980, the Republic of Free Wendland was evicted by the police, partly with the use of force; the protest camp was razed to the ground by the evening. Around 7,000 police and federal border guards were involved in the eviction, making it the largest police operation in post-war history to date.