As many as 800 activists gathered outside Tesla's factory near Berlin on Friday, protesting against the company's expansion plans. The demonstration, organized by a coalition of self-declared anti-capitalist groups called Disrupt, resulted in clashes with police as individuals attempted to break into the plant.

According to a statement on Disrupt's website, approximately 800 activists took part in the Disrupt Tesla Action Days, expressing their opposition to Tesla's plans to more than double the production capacity of its only European factory. The group argues that this expansion would cause significant environmental damage to the local area, including clearing large portions of the surrounding forest and putting additional strain on the local water supply.

The protest escalated when some demonstrators ran through the forest towards the Tesla premises, partially entering the nearby Deutsche Bahn railroad tracks. As a safety precaution, rail traffic between Erkner and Fürstenwalde had to be temporarily halted, according to a press release from the police.

Despite attempts by protesters to enter the Tesla premises, the police were successful in preventing their entry. However, Disrupt spokesperson Ole Becker claimed that there was a substantial amount of police violence during the clashes. He commented, "I saw a lot of injured people... I have seen things today which I haven't seen for many years."

Tesla CEO Elon Musk responded to the situation on social media, stating that the protesters did not manage to break through the fencing surrounding the factory, highlighting the presence of intact fence lines. Neither Tesla nor the police in the German state of Brandenburg, where the plant is located, have provided a comment on the events.

The disruption caused by the protests led to the temporary closure of the Tesla factory, with all employees being advised to stay away from work. The plant had already planned a production line stoppage for this Friday, but the electric vehicle maker decided to extend this measure to protect its workers in light of the anticipated protests.

This is not the first time the Brandenburg Tesla factory has faced disruptions. In early March, the plant was temporarily closed for a week after a high-voltage electricity pylon supplying power to the factory was deliberately set on fire by a group of far-left activists.

In anticipation of potential disruptions during the protests, the police in Brandenburg had prepared for extensive operations, receiving support from federal and other state police forces. They issued a statement acknowledging the possibility of disruptive protests and criminal acts.

The protests are part of a four-day demonstration series initiated by Disrupt, aiming to voice concerns about the environmental impact of Tesla's factory expansion plans. However, it remains to be seen how Tesla and local authorities will address these concerns and manage the ongoing tension between the protesters and the company's expansion efforts.