Berlin in the turmoil: 5,000 police officers secure explosive 1. May Demos!

Berlin in the turmoil: 5,000 police officers secure explosive 1. May Demos!

Kreuzberg, Berlin, Deutschland - On April 30, 2025, Berlin is preparing for an intensive demonstration period of May 1st. The events begin with the first demonstrations in the Walpurgis night this evening. As t-online.de is prepared for an increase in protest actions in which more than 5,000 police officers are in action and attacks to prevent.

The first major demonstration entitled "Increase wages, lower rent, create peace" is scheduled for 5 p.m. in the Wedding district. Subsequently, left -wing groups of women will come together under the motto "Take Back the Night" on Mariannenplatz in Kreuzberg, where more than 3,000 participants are expected sueddeutsche.de .

traditional and satirical protests

May 1st, the holiday of the workers, traditionally begins in the capital with a trade union demonstration that leads from Strausberger Platz to the Red City Hall. Satirical protest actions in the Grunewald villa district have been announced for the afternoon, where up to 10,000 participants are expected. At 6 p.m. the "Revolutionary May 1st Demonstration" of the left and left -wing extremist groups will also take place in Kreuzberg. This is organized by propalestinian and anti-Israel initiatives. In view of the experiences from previous years, the police are prepared for possible aggressive clashes. In the past, violent incidents have often occurred in the past, including bottle throws. The need for a strong police force is underlined by the tense situation in the past period, which could also be related to an increase in political unrest and aggression, especially towards the law enforcement officers. The legal framework for such assemblies have long been controversial and are subject to strict regulations in accordance with the 1953 meeting law, which authorities are permitted, to dissolve meetings if public security is at risk bpb.de .

a look into the past

The discussion about the fundamental right of freedom of assembly historically has its roots in the Enlightenment and was anchored in various constitutions, including the Basic Law of 1949. A formative event in the history of the German demonstrations was the death of the student Benno Ohnesorg in 1967, which was shot by a police officer during a protest. This event led to broad social discussions about security and freedom in meetings. Nowadays, the public perception of such demonstrations is ambivalent, since many surveyed violence and aggression condemn in protests, which often presents police officers with complex challenges bpb.de .