Frankfurt's Roof Sit-In Ends with Arrests and Injuries
In a dramatic turn of events, the Frankfurt Police force brought an end to the week-long occupation of the former Dondorf printing works. Early Tuesday morning, eight activists were apprehended from the rooftop of the building, with one individual sustaining injuries during the arrest due to resisting law enforcement.
The activists, assembled under the collective name "Die Druckerei," had persisted in their stay on the roof despite the freezing temperatures. After assessing the situation, the police ultimately decided to evacuate the building, citing safety concerns as their overriding concern. Previously, they had ruled out a forced eviction due to security reasons, and the activists had refused a voluntary evacuation proposal made by Goethe University.
During the night, two additional individuals were taken into custody on allegations of hanging sacks containing food on a rope hoist to the rooftop, which, according to a police spokesperson, constitutes an accessory to trespassing. The activists had previously accused the police of denying them access to sustenance and refreshments. The police, however, countered that they could safely escort the activists inside for meals and drink.
Anti-Demolition Protests
The print shop occupied by the collective was not the first such incident this year, and the occupation had extended beyond a week. After police evacuated the building's interior last Thursday, a contingent of activists made their way to the rooftop, some of whom have since departed.
The activists are advocating for the preservation of the building as an industrial and cultural legacy, slated for demolition to make way for a new building for the Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics. The building, once home to the Institute for Art Education at Goethe University, now belongs to the state of Hesse.
Extra Insights
In a popular cultural shift, Frankfurt's Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt is planning to temporarily relocate to the former Dondorf printing factory in the Bockenheim district of Frankfurt, with renovations focused on energy efficiency and a program showcasing art-related subjects of the modern age. This move is part of a larger transformation plan for the Schirn, which includes the energy-efficient renovation of its main venue at the Römer square, scheduled to continue until 2027[1].
Further Considerations
In the face of ongoing protests, the German Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced plans for a new real estate project in Frankfurt, posing a potential challenge to preserving the heritage value of the printing shop. However, the police in Hesse have been monitoring the demonstrations carefully, balancing the activists' freedom of expression with the need to maintain public order and safety.
Relevant Stories
[1] Reuters. (2020, March 12). Schirn set to relocate to former Dondorf factory in Frankfurt. Retrieved from .
