Protest at Palestinian camp intensifies: Police issue 183 criminal accusations
In the heart of Berlin-Mitte, on Monday evening, a spontaneous pro-Palestinian rally took place. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered at the intersection of Friedrich and Zimmer streets, voicing their concerns against Israel's military actions and the blockade of Gaza.
The rally, which lasted approximately an hour, saw participants chanting slogans such as "Stop the genocide in the Gaza Strip," "Freedom for Palestine," and "Your silence is killing" while banging pots to highlight the humanitarian crisis caused by aid restrictions.
However, the rally was not without incident. Officers used force during the dispersal, employing tactics such as pushing and shoving. The police also used tear gas to disperse the crowd due to the chanted prohibited slogans, although specific details about these slogans and related court rulings are not currently available.
A group of approximately 50 individuals attempted to influence police actions during the rally, resulting in freedom-restricting measures against "known criminals." Additionally, up to 20 people managed to break through police barriers and flee, while a second group of around 30 people gathered nearby, also chanting prohibited slogans. Their personal details were recorded by the police.
Despite the disruption, all 188 temporarily detained individuals, including 122 women, 65 men, and one non-binary person, were released after the rally. It's worth noting that five of the approximately 230 deployed officers were injured but remained on duty during the rally.
The Palestine Protest Camp, which has been outside the Chancellery since mid-June, was not the location of this rally. Instead, the rally marched towards John-Foster-Dulles-Allee.
The Palestine Protest Camp, located on Heinrich-von-Gagern-Straße in Berlin-Mitte, has been the subject of a court ruling. The Berlin-Brandenburg Higher Administrative Court rejected the police's appeal against a previous Berlin Administrative Court ruling, allowing the camp to remain under certain conditions.
Musical performances at Berlin's "All Eyes on Gaza" mass demo included K.I.Z. and Pashanim, adding a cultural dimension to the ongoing protests.
As the situation continues to unfold, it's clear that the pro-Palestinian movement in Berlin remains a vibrant and active force, with demonstrations and camps serving as platforms for voicing concerns and rallying support.
