Cops want them out of their forest home to build a coal mine. These villagers say no!

In Turkey’s Akbelen Forest, villagers and environmental activists are fighting to protect centuries-old trees from a massive coal mine. The forest is not only their home—it also provides many with their livelihoods. The Erdogan government has denounced the protests as marginal and anti-development, sending security forces to back up Limak Holding, the major Turkish coal conglomerate behind the project. The Real News reports from Akbelen Forest. Producer: Murat Bay Associate Producer and Translation: Daniel Thorpe Videographer: Murat Bay Video editors: Daniel Thorpe and Leo Erhardt Special thanks: Kazim Kizil, Diyar Saracoglu The Real News is an independent, viewer-supported, radical media network. Help us expand our in-depth analysis and coverage from Baltimore to Bangladesh by subscribing and becoming a member today! Donate: Sign up for our newsletter: Like us on Facebook: Follow us on Twitter: