Police clears up occupied lecture hall: chaos at the Humboldt-University!

Police clears up occupied lecture hall: chaos at the Humboldt-University!

On Wednesday evening, the police cleared the Emil Fischer-Hörsaal of the Humboldt University in Berlin, occupied by Propalestinian activists. As the Tagesspiegel reported in order to use to get into the building. Around 60 people had barricaded themselves in the auditorium, while the police initially spoke of around 100 people. The assignment started around 8:30 p.m. and was almost ended quickly.

The police have initiated an investigation into trespassing. In addition, further investigation due to property damage and breach of the peace are planned. During the evacuation, at least one person resisted the arrest and had to be transported to the hospital. A total of around 300 police officers were involved in the mission.

activist messages

In the lecture hall, slogans were sprayed on the walls. Slogans such as "Yallah Intifada" and "Zionists are fascists" testify to a clear political positioning of the activists. The situation continued to escalate when hooded activists tensioned banner with anti -Semitic slogans out of the windows. In front of the building gathered up to 50 demonstrators who chanted slogans such as "Viva Viva Palestine". The police presence sometimes led to violent clashes, with several people being arrested.

Background of the occupation is the impending departure of four people who had previously been involved in protests at the Free University. Those affected are accused of having threatened employees in an earlier line -up. These protests are part of a broader movement that works for the rights of the Palestinians and denounces violent clashes in the region.

climate activism and occupations

The occupation of the Emil-Fischer-Hörsaal is not to be viewed in isolation. On May 2nd, 2023, the same lecture hall was occupied by a wide climate alliance, which of groups such as Endfossil and Sufferge! was supported. Among other things, the activists called for the liability of the Humboldt University's climate protection concept and the socialization of energy production. The line -up was part of the international campaign #MayWOCCUPY, which also initiated activities with similar goals in other countries.

Similar occupations were already held at schools and universities in autumn 2022, which made a strong sign of air conditioning justice. These movements are closely linked to the topic of social inequality, since disadvantaged population groups in particular struggle in the climate crisis passionately, while they also have to bear the main burden of the consequences, as in the dossier for the climate justice of the BPB is described.

The climate crisis increases existing inequalities, whereby poor countries contribute less to global warming, but are most affected. In this context, it is crucial that the voice of the students is also heard in order to address demands for fairer conditions in both social and political context.