Almost four decades ago, a broad movement prevented the construction of the Hainburg Danube power plant in order to save the Danube floodplains from Lobau to Stopfenreuth. Today where the national park through a climate-damaging and traffic-wise nonsensical building project is endangered, it is worth recalling how this dispute took place at the time and which different resistance practices worked together to prevent this "greatest act of destruction of nature in Austria's history" (Günther Nenning).

The Donauauen National Park stretches along the banks of the Danube from the Vienna Lobau to the Danube Bend near Hainburg. White-tailed eagles breed here in giant old trees and beavers build their dams. Here is the largest coherent, near-natural and ecologically largely intact floodplain landscape of this type in Central Europe. Many endangered animal and plant species have a refuge here between river arms and ponds, on banks and gravel banks, on islands and peninsulas. The Au is a natural retention area for floods, it offers clean groundwater that is used as drinking water. People come here to hike, paddle, or fish, bird watch, or just hang their feet in the water. Because only here and in the Wachau is the Austrian Danube still a living, untamed river. Everywhere else it flows between concrete walls. And this last virgin forest-like wetland area was almost destroyed to make way for the planned Hainburg power station on the Danube.

The struggle to save the Danube floodplains in 1984 was a turning point in the history of Austria. Since then, nature and environmental protection have become central socio-political concerns in the consciousness of the population, but also in politics. But the struggle has also shown that in a democracy it is not enough to let the elected representatives act as they see fit between elections. The politicians of the time in government and parliament repeatedly referred to the fact that they had been elected with a mandate and therefore did not need to listen to the outcry that came from the population. This is illustrated by the quote from Chancellor Sinowatz: “I do not believe that we should flee to a referendum at every opportunity. The people who voted for us connected it with the fact that we also make decisions. ”But they had to listen to the population. Admittedly, they did so only after they had tried to end a non-violent, peaceful occupation by force, after they had tried to defame the occupiers as left or right-wing radicals, to blame them for secretive backers and masterminds, after they had defamed the workers * had incited against students and intellectuals.

A master chimney sweep and a doctor sound the alarm

Since the 1950s, Donaukraftwerke AG, originally a state-owned company, had built eight power plants along the Danube. The ninth at Greifenstein was under construction. Without a doubt, the power plants were important for the industrialization and modernization of the country. But now 80 percent of the Danube was built. Great natural landscapes were gone. Now the tenth power plant was to be built near Hainburg. The first to sound the alarm were a master chimney sweep from Leopoldsdorf, a doctor from Orth an der Donau and a citizen of Hainburg who, with great personal commitment, made the local population, scientists, environmental protection organizations and politicians aware that the last large alluvial forest in Central Europe was in danger. 

The WWF (then World Wildlife Fund, now Worldwide Fund for Nature) took on the matter and financed scientific research and public relations. It was possible to win the Kronenzeitung as a partner. The investigations also showed, among other things, that the then poorly treated wastewater from Vienna, if it had been dammed, would have caused severe hygienic problems. Nevertheless, the water law permit was granted. The electricity industry and the responsible government representatives not only argued with the growing demand for energy. They also claimed that the alluvial forests were threatened with drying out anyway, as the river bed was getting deeper. The floodplain can only be saved if the Danube is dammed and water is channeled into the oxbow lakes.

But at the moment there was no question of growing energy demand. In fact, there was an oversupply of electricity at that time due to the poor economic situation. At a secret meeting of the energy producers and the electrical industry, it became known later on how to increase the consumption of electricity in order to get rid of the excess capacity.

Arguments are not enough

In the autumn of 1983, 20 environmental protection groups, nature conservation groups and citizens' initiatives came together to form the “Action Group against the Hainburg Power Plant”. They were supported by the Austrian Students' Union. In the beginning, the protectors concentrated on public relations. It was believed that if the arguments of the power plant proponents were systematically refuted, the project could be prevented. But the Minister of Agriculture declared the project "preferred hydraulic engineering", which meant that the approval process became much easier for the operators.

Celebrities also joined the protectors, for example the painters Friedensreich Hundertwasser and Arik Brauer. The world-famous, albeit controversial, Nobel Prize winner Konrad Lorenz wrote letters to the socialist Federal Chancellor and the ÖVP governor of Lower Austria, in which he denounced the destruction of his homeland by the construction of the power station near Greifenstein and warned of the new project.

The press conference of the animals

In April 1984 a "press conference of the animals" caused a sensation. Representing the animals of the Au, personalities from all political camps presented the “Konrad Lorenz referendum” for the establishment of a national park in place of the power station. The socialist president of the journalists' union Günter Nenning presented the referendum as a red deer. The Vienna ÖVP city councilor Jörg Mauthe introduced himself as a black stork. The former head of the young socialists, Josef Czapp, now a member of parliament, appeared without animal costume and asked: “Who rules in Austria? Is it the e-industry and its lobby that want to dictate that we continue on a course of energy growth that lacks any sense of reason, or is it still possible that the interests of the environmental protection movement and the interests of the population will come to the fore here? ”The young socialists did not join the referendum after all.

The Nature Conservation State Council approves the construction of the power plant

The protectors placed their hopes in the very strict Lower Austrian nature conservation law. The Danube-March-Thaya floodplains were protected landscape areas and Austria had committed itself to their preservation in international agreements. But to everyone's horror, Brezovsky, the Provincial Councilor responsible for nature conservation, granted the building permission on November 26, 1984. Various lawyers and politicians classified this permit as clearly illegal. Hundreds of students occupied the Lower Austrian country house, which was then still in Vienna, for a few hours as a protest. Representatives of the Konrad Lorenz referendum presented Interior Minister Blecha with 10.000 signatures against the power plant. On December 6th, Agriculture Minister Haiden issued the water law permit. In the government it was agreed that they would not tolerate any delay, because the necessary clearing work could only be carried out in winter.

"And when everything is over, they will retire"

For December 8th, the Konrad Lorenz referendum called for a star hike in the Au near Stopfenreuth. Almost 8.000 people came. Freda Meißner-Blau, at that time still a member of the SPÖ and later co-founder of the Greens: “You say you are responsible. Responsibility for the air, for our drinking water, for the health of the population. You are responsible for the future. And when everything is over, they will retire. "

At the rally it was announced that a charge of abuse of office would be brought against Provincial Councilor Brezovsky. Towards the end of the rally, a rally participant unexpectedly picked up the microphone and asked the demonstrators to stay and guard the floodplain. When the first construction machines rolled in on December 10, the access roads to the Stopfenreuther Au were already blocked with barricades made of fallen wood and occupied by demonstrators. Fortunately for historiography, there are video and audio recordings that can later be made into a documentary1 were put together.

Groups of three, groups of four, human chains

A demonstrator, who apparently already had experience with such actions, explained the procedure: “It is important: Small groups, groups of three, groups of four now at the beginning, as long as there are so few, get to know the area once so that you can lead other people. It will be the case that some of them may be arrested who are then absent, so everyone has to be able to step in for those who have failed. "

A protester: "Stupid question: How do you really prevent them from working?"

“You just put it in front of you, and if they want to unroll a role, for example, then just make human chains and hang in front of them. And if it's just a back four. "

"It was not possible to drive in with equipment and men," complained the DoKW head of operations, Ing. Überacker.

“And if anyone prevents us from exercising our rights, then we have to deal with the executive,” explained Director Kobilka.

"In the event of disobedience you have to reckon with means of coercion"

And so it happened. While some of the demonstrators were singing Christmas carols, the gendarmerie began the evacuation: "In the event of disobedience, you have to reckon with means of coercion under the gendarmerie".

The demonstrators replied with chants: "Long live democracy, long live democracy!"

One of them reported afterwards: “It's crazy. The majority are actually so that they are not so out for violence, but there are some who tear and kick in Mag'n, that's a madness. But there are only a few, I think, and they rock it up. "

There were three arrests and the first injuries that day. When the news reports about the gendarmerie deployment, new squatters poured into the floodplain that night. There are now around 4.000.

“We won't let ourselves get down. Never! It is not being built! ”Explains one. And a second: “We occupy the floodplain for the DoKW worker who tries to displace us, or for the police officer. Because that's an important living space, not only for Vienna. That’s another big eco-cell that falls over. "

"Then you can lock up the republic"

Federal Chancellor Sinowatz insists on the construction: "If it is not possible in Austria to implement a plan for the construction of a power plant that has been correctly implemented, then ultimately nothing can be built in Austria, and then the republic can be closed."

And Interior Minister Karl Blecha: "And it is not the gendarmerie that uses violence, as is now repeatedly claimed, but it is those who use violence that disregard the law."

Since the two attempts to start clearing were unsuccessful, those responsible seek a conversation with representatives of the popular initiative and announce a four-day break in clearing work.

The population supports the occupiers

The first camps are built in the Au. The squatters put up tents and huts and organize the supply of food. The people of Stopfenreuth and Hainburg support them in this: “Do, bring aan coffee, i eahna, an hate. That’s something unique, it’s never bothering what’s going on ”, explains a farmer enthusiastically. "Top! Can't say more. "

If possible, the squatters also discuss with the gendarmerie officers. A young gendarme: “When I want to hear my opinion, whether someone should build it, I'll be there. But how they perform is a problem. But on the other hand our problem aa again, why mia miss'n a against the intervening. "

A second gendarme: "Well, it is somehow an eahna point of view, it stands up for it, this is certainly unique up to now in Austria, somehow I have to acknowledge it, on the other hand I have to say, of course, that it is still an illegal somewhere Action is that is done, and passive resistance is offered again and again, and certainly from us, from the officials, aa ka great joy is there when the people sit down and measure'Gazaht away from us ... "

The officer was whistled back in the true sense of the word by a superior.

Union leaders argue with job security ...

The unions also took the side of the power plant supporters. For them the question was that energy production had to be expanded so that industry could grow and jobs could be maintained and new jobs created. That you can get by with much less energy with more modern technologies, in industrial production as well as in traffic or heating and air conditioning, these were thoughts that were only introduced by the environmentalists. Solar energy and wind energy were considered utopian gimmicks. It never occurred to the union bosses that new environmental technologies could also create new jobs.

... and with slander and threats

Chamber of Labor President Adolf Coppel at a meeting: “We simply do not take notice that here in this country students can do what they want. Students that you all work for so that they can study! "

And the President of the Lower Austrian Chamber of Labor, Josef Hesoun: “Because behind - I am of the opinion - because there are huge interests behind their procedures, be it interests from abroad or interests that are to be sought in the economic field. We know that about 400 citizens from the Federal Republic of Germany have been to be found in the Au in the past few days. These people are well prepared militarily, they have highly qualified technical equipment, they have radio devices that transmit over wide areas. I would say, I believe, if nothing changes in the mindset of the power plant opponents, it will be very difficult for us organizationally to curb the unwillingness of the employees in the companies. "

The threat could not be ignored.

Freda Meißner-Blau: “I believe that the ecological question is also a social question. And that despite this split, which has largely succeeded, it is still the workers who suffer most from the ecological grievances. They have to live where it stinks, they have to work where it is poisonous, they cannot buy organic food ... "

A workers' demonstration to Hainburg was announced, but canceled at the last moment.

"Worth us mentally not cold"

While the representatives of the referendum negotiated with the representatives of government and industry, the occupiers settled down in the camps. The weather changed, it got winterly cold: “When there is snow on the ground, now at the beginning it is naturally cold, of course. And the straw is wet. But when it starts to freeze - so we dug earth houses into the ground - and when the amal freezes, it isolates much better, and then we feel much warmer when we sleep. "

“We are psychologically not cold, on the contrary. There is no great warmth there. I think you can hold out for a long time. "

At times the gendarmerie stopped delivering provisions to the occupiers. Cars heading towards Hainburg were searched for weapons. However, the Lower Austrian security director Schüller had to admit that he had not been told anything about weapons.

The occupiers repeatedly stated that their resistance was non-violent.

With all kinds of suspicions and references to dark sources of money, the power plant proponents wanted to cast doubt on the occupiers' freedom from violence.

Interior Minister Blecha: “Of course we have a part of the anarcho scene that is known from Vienna, now also in this so-called Au mission, and of course we already have representatives of right-wing extremist groups downstairs. And the sources of money that are there set a link from your homepage to Fewo-von-Privat.de, are partly in the dark and only partly known. "

There are experts here - and now should the people decide?

And when asked why a referendum shouldn't be held, as was the case with Zwentendorf six years earlier, Blecha denied the people the ability to obtain information, weigh up and decide: “There are experts here who say: The Au can be saved The power plant. They even say it is imperative if you look at it in the long term. On the other hand, we have experts who say: No, that is not correct. And now the people should decide which experts they can trust more, the X or the Y ... "

When the negotiations did not bring any result and the deadline for the clearing stop expired, it was clear to the occupiers that there would soon be decisive disputes. They emphasize that they would behave passively in any case, would allow themselves to be beaten if necessary, and would definitely not offer any resistance. If they were carried out, people would keep going back to the floodplain.

"... militarily prepared by wire-pullers"

The Chancellor said: “First of all, I would like to say that it became very clear on Monday that it was not about non-violent resistance, but that resistance was simply being offered. A children's crusade has also been organized. I read here: Women and children prevent the clearing of the floodplain. That is actually unheard of, and of course that cannot be accepted in the long run, and I can only swear to everyone that such methods are not used, this is not only illegal, this occupation of the Au, but it is really from the masterminds prepared militarily. "

Who is exercising violence here?

At dawn on December 19, gendarmes surrounded the camp of the protesters.

An alarm department of the police, which had moved from Vienna, equipped with steel helmets and rubber truncheons, cordoned off a field the size of a soccer field. Construction machinery drove in, the chainsaws began to howl and the clearing of this field began. Protesters who tried to escape from the camps or run against the barrier were beaten down and hunted with dogs.

Günter Nenning reported: "Women and children were beaten, young citizens who carried the red-white-red flag, they were torn from them, wrapped around their necks and dragged out of the forest by their necks."

The brutality of this operation, however, is proof of the strength of the movement: “I assume that this country is watching and listening closely: In order to implement the largest nature destruction campaign in Austrian history, you need to clear 1,2 million trees - and there There is also a lot of positive in it - a civil war army. "

When the details about the use of the police and gendarmerie emerged through the media, outrage across the country was overwhelming. That same evening, an estimated 40.000 people demonstrated in Vienna against the construction of the power plant and the methods by which it was supposed to be enforced.

A pause for reflection and Christmas peace - the meadow is saved

On December 21st, Chancellor Sinowatz announced: “After careful consideration, I decided to propose a Christmas peace and a break from work beyond the turn of the year in the dispute over Hainburg. The point of a reflection phase is obviously to think for a few days and then look for a way. And therefore it cannot be said beforehand what the result of reflection will be. "

In January, the Constitutional Court decided that a complaint against the water rights decision made by opponents of the power plant had suspensive effect. This meant that the planned date for the start of construction was out of the question. The government set up an ecology commission, which ultimately spoke out against the Hainburg location.

Petition letters and signature campaigns, scientific investigations, legal reports, a press campaign, spectacular events with celebrities, a referendum, information stands in town and country, legal notices and lawsuits, demonstration marches and a steadfast, non-violent occupation campaign by many young and old people from all over Austria - all that had to work together to prevent a huge, irreparable destruction of nature.

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