Gießen University pursues legal action against building occupiers

Justus-Liebig-Universität (JLU) in Gießen is pursuing legal action against individuals who occupied a university building on Hein-Heckroth-Straße 3, starting Saturday. The university has filed criminal complaints for trespassing and other potential offenses, according to a spokesperson.

The activists, who call themselves the "FreiTraum-Haus" project group, stated on their weblog that their aim is to make the building accessible again as a "space for community, support, and protection." They had planned a weekend program including music and a family festival.

University leadership, including President Katharina Lorenz and Chancellor Sandra Ohly, met with five representatives of the project group at Gießen's town hall on Saturday afternoon. Following this meeting, the university presidency continued communication via email, initially demanding the group vacate the premises by 9 p.m. Saturday. When this demand was not met, Lorenz reiterated the evacuation order on Sunday morning, applying to everyone in the building and its exterior. The university warned that legal steps would be taken if the occupation was not ended by 3 p.m. Sunday.

The university leadership maintains its offer for dialogue, including the General Student Committee (AStA). "A productive dialogue with the presidency about the future of student spaces, however, requires the participants to return to the ground of legality," Lorenz stated. The university indicated the building is vacant and slated for handover to the state construction and real estate company. They emphasized that student safety is a top priority and that the project group was informed of significant safety risks during the town hall meeting. Meanwhile, an open letter circulating on social media, shared by the group and supported by organizations like "Studis gegen Rechts" and "Omas gegen Rechts," calls on the university not to forcibly clear the building.