A pro-Palestinian demonstration at Potsdamer Platz in Berlin was dispersed by police on Sunday afternoon after fisticuffs broke out. According to reports, up to 300 people had gathered at the banned event, whereupon police intervened in the face of rising tensions. Footage features protesters chanting slogans as well as holding placards and Palestinian flags. Police officers can be seen dispersing the protesters, some of which were detained.

Expressing frustration and defiance, one protester demanded answers regarding the ban on their demonstration. “Why can not we demonstrate? Why don’t we get the permission? Who can answer my questions? We are not alone. Our women are firmly taken, what is that? We are here all together to demonstrate. There are no foundation laws in Germany that tell us that we can not demonstrate, we should not hold our flags. Who said that there was a flag ban? We are all for Palestine, freedom for Palestine!” the woman said.

Police officers identified numerous participants and reported several administrative offences. The dispersal of the gathering was marred by instances of resistance and physical altercations, resulting in multiple arrests and subsequent criminal complaints.

Police disperse crowds in Berlin.

Later in the evening, a separate pro-Palestinian rally at Alexanderplatz in Berlin-Mitte drew around 400 individuals, concluding peacefully without any notable incidents. According to media reports, the planned ‘Peace in the Middle East’ rally in Berlin on October 15, which aimed to host 1,000 attendees, was also banned.

Courtesy – www.ruptly.tv