NEWS FROM BERLIN
Right-wing extremist demonstration in Berlin ends early with 32 arrests
Accompanied by counter-protests and sit-in blockades, a right-wing extremist demonstration marched through Berlin city centre last Saturday. According to police reports, a total of 32 people were temporarily arrested on both sides, 27 of them men. The far-right protest was organised by the vague right-wing alliance “Together for Germany”. The Hitler salute was seen and ‘Sieg Heil’ was shouted and media representatives was obstructed. The police were deployed with 500 officers, and four officers were attacked during the blockade. In the meantime, the police counted almost 1,000 protesters on both sides of the demonstration, with the number of counter-demonstrators outweighing far-right. Source: tagesspiel
Trump policy also affects BER Airport
The economic and foreign policy of the new US President Donald Trump is also making itself felt at Berlin-Brandenburg Airport BER. Demand for flights is falling. According to surveys, almost one in three people who had travel plans for the USA are considering changing them. Reservation systems are responding to lower demand with falling ticket prices – tickets are suddenly available at discount prices: flights from Germany to New York and back are available for less than 300 euros. Another reason for this is the weaker dollar. Turbulence on the global market is also putting a strain on BER’s financial planning. Source: rbb
Property tax: Berlin clubs facing the end?
The districts and the Senate have not yet found a solution as to how Berlin clubs can be exempted from property tax (which is due in next month). In some cases, the tax has been increased by over 1,200% – as for the club “Yaam”. Marcel Weber, Chairman of the Berlin Club Commission, is concerned: “This is definitely an existential threat, if not a destruction. We are currently enquiring with the other clubs – but many of them don’t even know what’s in store for them yet. I just hope that the contradictions will be heard and solutions found.” Source: rbb
NEWS FROM GERMANY
German Red Cross remembers deceased paramedics in the Gaza Strip
On April 23, the German Red Cross today remembered the death of eight paramedics from the Palestinian Red Crescent, which happened a month before. To express its grief and sympathy, flags on Red Cross buildings throughout Germany were flown at half-mast. There was a minute’s silence at 3 pm. Those actions were accompanied by requests concerning the attacks´ investigation, the expectation the German government will “play a pioneering international role in the protection of humanitarian aid workers at all times and everywhere”, as well as the observance that “international humanitarian law must be consistently observed”. Source: drk
Senator defends controversial “Nazi” statement about Tesla
In a post on X, Berlin Labour Senator Cansel Kiziltepe (SPD) described the vehicles of US car manufacturer Tesla as “Nazi” cars and was harshly criticised for it. The post has since been deleted. However, she continued to criticise Tesla boss Musk, defending her comments. “I expressly stand by my assessments of Elon Musk,” explained Kiziltepe in a post on X. “Of course, this does not mean that I hold Musk’s employees or customers responsible for his political positions.” Kiziltepe yet emphasised: “Tesla is currently experiencing a slump in sales because customers are attributing the far-right positions of its shareholder Elon Musk.” Source: rbb
Few consequences after Sylt video with racist chant
Almost a year after the scandal surrounding racist chants in a bar on the island of Sylt, most of the proceedings have been dropped. According to the Flensburg public prosecutor’s office, the investigations against three of the four people involved have now been dropped. Only one 26-year-old was “publicly charged”. A penalty was issued to him due to a “waving greeting” with an outstretched arm and the suggestion of a “Hitler beard”, according to the statement. The gestures can also be seen in a video from the bar that went viral at the time. Gigi D’Agostino, whose song was used, made it clear that it was exclusively about love. Source: dw
Germany: will it stop taking in local Afghan labourers?
Does Germany, and above all the future government of conservatives and social democrats, no longer feel bound by the promise to grant refuge to particularly vulnerable people from Afghanistan? The spokesperson for the acting Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens), Sebastian Fischer, answered this question saying it has to be addressed to the new government when it takes office – probably in around two weeks’ time. For the time being, however, Mr Fischer countered reports that two more aircraft would be arriving in Germany before then. Almost 3,000 refugees from Afghanistan are waiting in Pakistan to be allowed to travel to Germany. Source: dw
Accused of campaigning for a transport revolution
Climate activists in Wolfsburg have been campaigning for a transport revolution for years. With camps, information stands, creative actions and blockades of the VW Group’s infrastructure, they are calling for it to be socialised and for production to be converted to more environmental manufacturing, such as trams and e-buses. Since last Thursday, one of those involved, Ruben G., has been on trial. Among other things, the 28-year-old is accused of “dangerous interference with rail traffic”. After the indictment was read out, Ruben G. spoke about his motives, mentioning “the urgent need to convert automobile companies”. The next hearing is scheduled for 15 May. Source: nd-aktuell
