German police disperse rally
Berlin — Berlin police dispersed an Internationalist Queer Pride for Liberation rally in the left-wing Kreuzberg district of the city citing repeated attacks on officers and anti-Semitic slogans on Saturday, as the main Pride event was held elsewhere in the city.
The attacks led to several injuries among the police force, officers said.
They arrested around 30 people and said more detentions were likely.
Reports indicate that incidents included bottle throwing and targeted blows with flagpoles. To arrest individuals involved, the police used physical force, they said. Some marchers threw bags of paint at officers, they said.
Despite repeated requests, the organizers were unable to significantly influence the participants, leading to the early dispersal of the demonstration, officers said.
The event was halted near Kottbusser Tor, although it was originally scheduled to conclude at 9 pm (1900 GMT) at a square nearby.
The atmosphere remained tense as police officers repeatedly moved into the crowd to make arrests, as seen by a dpa reporter.
Police estimated around 10,000 people joined the pro-Palestinian demonstration, with approximately 800 individuals having a pro-Palestinian connection.
Many participants carried Palestinian flags and keffiyeh scarves. The organizers called for solidarity with Palestine and advocated for an “anti-colonial, anti-racist, anti-capitalist struggle for freedom.” On the sidelines, individuals stood with Israeli flags and the Ukrainian flag.
“Where there is anti-Semitism, where violence is used against police forces, the police will intervene robustly and consistently with the full support of the Governing Mayor,” Berlin Mayor Kai Wegner told broadcaster Welt TV.
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