An anti-police demonstration in Berlin-Friedrichshain was dissolved after attacks on officers. Participants threw bottles and set off pyrotechnics, prompting police intervention. Around 700 people took part, with about 500 officers deployed.
The demonstration started shortly before 8 p.m. at Helsingforser Platz in Berlin-Friedrichshain and was set to proceed through Marchlewskistraße and Rigaer Straße to Warschauer Straße. According to police spokesperson Martin Halweg, the protest began peacefully, with only police-hostile chants that were punishable but did not initially warrant dissolution.
Events escalated as the march progressed. Participants threw PET bottles at officers and ignited banned pyrotechnics. Police halted the procession several times and urged assembly leaders to influence participants. Ultimately, the demo was dissolved due to forbidden slogans and attacks on officers.
Some protesters were arrested, while others could not be identified due to masking. The event, held annually on December 13, caused traffic disruptions along the route. Halweg stated: «We conducted loudspeaker announcements and urged the assembly leadership once more to influence their participants.»
Police deployed 500 officers to manage the 700 participants. No injuries were reported, but the incidents highlight ongoing tensions at such protests.
