NewsBerlin's traditional leftist ceremony turns hostile: 21 police officers injured

Berlin's traditional leftist ceremony turns hostile: 21 police officers injured

COLOGNE, GERMANY - JAN 08: Police take measures as German farmers protest subsidy cuts in Cologne, Germany on January 08, 2024. Thousands of farmers in Germany began nationwide protests on Monday against the government's plans to cut agricultural subsidies. Last week, the government revised its planned spending cuts, but the farmers' association said these changes were far from sufficient to address their problems. (Photo by Kadir Ilboga/Anadolu via Getty Images)
COLOGNE, GERMANY - JAN 08: Police take measures as German farmers protest subsidy cuts in Cologne, Germany on January 08, 2024. Thousands of farmers in Germany began nationwide protests on Monday against the government's plans to cut agricultural subsidies. Last week, the government revised its planned spending cuts, but the farmers' association said these changes were far from sufficient to address their problems. (Photo by Kadir Ilboga/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Images source: © GETTY | Anadolu

9:35 AM EST, January 15, 2024

The primary intention of the demonstration was to honor the memory of Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht on the 105th anniversary of their brutal killings. Various left-wing organizations take charge of arranging this yearly event.

"We demonstrate in favor of peace and international solidarity, against exploitation, against the erosion of democratic rights, and rising fascist threats," was their rallying call. However, the event this year was anything but peaceful, unfortunately.

During the march, derogatory chants began to emanate from one of the cars equipped with loudspeakers: "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free." This slogan is often interpreted as having a fascistic undertone. Key Iranian figures have been known to use it in the context of erasing Israel from the world map. Due to this, the police halted the march to stop the vehicle in question. Although the organizer of the rally removed the car, participants soon began to assault police forces.

As per the reports from "Bild," at least 21 police officers sustained injuries. There were also several protesters hurt in the altercation, with one suffering from serious injuries.

Fifteen people were apprehended temporarily. According to a fire department spokesperson, eight people, including police officers, were rushed to hospitals.

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