Berlin's Görlitzer Park in Kreuzberg was closed at night for the first time, despite protests by hundreds of people. Police controlled the entrances from 10 p.m. and allowed no one else in. The measure aims to combat drug dealing and crime.
On Sunday evening, Berlin's Görlitzer Park in Kreuzberg was closed from 10 p.m. for the first time. Officers stood at the entrances, allowing visitors to leave but denying entry to others. Later, most gates were locked, as police announced.
Earlier, several hundred people protested the closure. The demonstration, partly moderated by a Greens representative, included a concert titled «Rave against the Zaun». Banners read «Kai Wegner lügt Dich an», and protesters chanted «Der Görli bleibt auf». Governing Mayor Kai Wegner (CDU) and police faced insults in choruses.
Speakers demanded redirecting funds for gates and security to social projects. Calls to damage fences occurred, but the event remained peaceful. Police arrested one person on suspicion of assault.
Police deployed 200 officers, spokesperson Jörn Iffländer stated. Many demonstrators left voluntarily by 10:45 p.m., others were prompted to go. In future, 16 entrances will be locked with new gates each evening, while exits via turnstiles stay open. A private security service will patrol at night and ask people to leave.
The Berlin Senate (CDU/SPD) decided on the nighttime closure in 2023 to address drug dealing and crime, facilitating prosecutions. The Greens-led district of Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg and left-wing initiatives oppose it, warning of displaced problems to residential areas. An evaluation of the measure is due by year's end.
The day before, the fence and entrances were vandalized, including a severed bolt and glued locks, as reported by a protest group.
