Berlin Police Prepare for Halloween Protests
Authorities see no sign so far that calls for violence inspired by the riots in France are gaining traction. Around 1,500 officers will be on the streets on Saturday anyway, just in case.
Berlin’s police force is gearing up for a significant operation on Halloween night, October 31st, to manage potential protests organized by the youth group Gen Z. Police President Barbara Slowik Meisel announced that around 1,500 officers will be on duty, with assistance from the Federal Police. Interior Senator Iris Spranger emphasized that peaceful protests would be protected, but excessive violence would be met with decisive action.
Spranger expressed confidence in the police's ability to manage the situation, citing their experience with nearly 7,000 demonstrations annually in Berlin.
According to police data, 13 assemblies have been registered for Halloween day, with four of them directly related to the Halloween theme. The Gen Z initiative has scheduled two events: a gathering at 2 p.m. at the Brandenburg Gate, expecting about 10,000 attendees, and a march beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Rosenthaler Platz in Mitte, with 200 people registered.
Police also anticipate additional spontaneous gatherings. Slowik Meisel noted that while calls for connection with French protests exist, no significant mobilization has occurred yet, and there are no indications of planned looting.
Both police officials stressed that students have demonstrated strong composure and are discerning between legitimate demonstrators and those attempting to exploit the situation. They assured that the police will respond with de-escalation tactics and firmness if necessary, removing any offenders. Officers will remain on duty late into the night, focusing on areas prone to incidents, such as the High-Deck housing estate and Gropiusstadt in Neukölln, Pallasstraße in Schöneberg, and parts of Moabit.
The Federal Ministry of the Interior also reported no calls for violence, attributing the mobilization to parts of the left-wing extremist scene and some foreign-related extremist groups. Online, a group called “Gen Z regelt” is encouraging participation in nationwide protests on Halloween, with events planned in 32 cities, including Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Frankfurt, and Munich.
The group advocates for stronger climate protection, measures against rising living costs, and opposes compulsory military service, explicitly rejecting violence.
Written by urgent.news from The Berlin Spectator's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
