Demonstration against the PKK ban moves through Berlin

Demonstrators set off smoke pots

Demonstrators set off smoke pots and waved PKK flags Photo: REUTERS/Christian Mang

From BZ/dpa

According to police reports, more than a thousand people demonstrated in Berlin on Saturday against a ban on the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

“There were about 1,400 demonstrators at the top, and 200 at the end,” said a police spokesman. 2500 people were registered. The protest march started at Hermannplatz in Neukölln and ended in the afternoon at Oranienplatz in Kreuzberg.

The demonstration was held under the motto “Repeal the PKK ban – For a democratic solution to the Kurdish question”. The ban restricts the basic rights of the Kurdish community in Germany. Political activities in the sense of freedom of assembly and organization would be criminalized, the organizers of the “PKK ban lift” campaign wrote on their website. The PKK is on the European Union’s list of terrorist organizations.

Officials lead a demonstrator away

Officials lead a demonstrator away Photo: REUTERS/Christian Mang

The police spokesman said that isolated PKK symbols were shown, forbidden flags were waved and pyrotechnics were detonated. There were initially no reports of major disruptions. According to the information, 380 police forces were deployed.

Subjects:

Berlin police demonstration Kurds PKK

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