Randals and arrests: 1. May. Demo in Berlin causes excitement!

Randals and arrests: 1. May. Demo in Berlin causes excitement!

On May 1, 2025, numerous demonstrations and events took place in Berlin, which contained both peaceful and violent elements. The police estimated the number of participants of the "Revolutionary May 1st Demonstration" between 15,000 and 18,000, while the organizers even spoke of 30,000 people. Overall, over 61,000 people took part in 62 demonstrations and celebrations. The police used 5,800 civil servants, including 2,200 from other federal states and the federal police. The day ended with 73 arrests, with the police also had twelve injured officials.

The "Revolutionary May 1st Demonstration" started with a late 40 minute delay on the Südstern. The mood was tense right from the start, since pyrotechnics were thrown onto the emergency services and anti -Semitic and Propalestinian slogans were scanded. Many participants were masked, which led to individual arrests. The spokesman for the police union (GdP), Benjamin Jendro, underlined the fact that certain actions by the demonstrators must be seen as crimes. Police spokesman Nath emphasized that the demonstrators were given a lot of space, which may have to be able to calm the situation. Compared to past years, the demonstration overall was more peaceful, as police President Barbara Slovik Meisel found on RBB television.

violent incidents and political slogans

Despite the mostly peaceful demonstrations, there were occasional violent incidents. At the Mehringplatz in Kreuzberg, shots were fired from a moving car, which injured at least two people. In addition, more than 50 demonstrators were arrested due to bottle and firecrackers. The GdP expressed that despite the injured, the day could not be described as peaceful, and stated that the security concept was to be regarded as complex in view of these incidents.

A remarkable event was the greeting of the detained former RAF terrorist Daniela Klette, who was read out by a hooded person. Climbing criticized capitalism and the associated human rights violations in its message, which again revealed the political tensions during the demonstrations.

peaceful celebrations in Berlin

Despite the tense situations, there were also many peaceful celebrations. Tens of thousands of Berlin celebrated in Görlitzer Park, and the police alone counted 18,000 celebrations there. These celebrated the plans for the fencing of the park and the party mood continued until the early hours of the morning. Also in another part of Berlin, in the Grunewald, demonstrations for social justice took place, which were calm with 1,800 to several thousand participants.

The night of May 2, Iris Spranger was described as the "most peaceful Walpurgis night" in the history of Berlin. Nevertheless, the security situation remained tense, and 800 heavy bollards and blockade elements were set up to ensure the safety of the citizens. An incident that overshadowed the night was the fire of a Porsch in Seydelstrasse, where there is a suspicion of arson.