Berliners attempt to storm Tempelhof airport in protest
Context
Story:
Today the initiative "Tempelhof für alle" Tempelhof for all called Berliners to action. Their motto was "Have you ever squatted an airport?". Over 5,000 people came and attempted to climb over the fences and occupy the Tempelhof airport area.
Over 1,800 policeman came to protect the fences and the empty air field. There were reinforced with german shephards and also large tanks with spray guns were used to intimidate protestors.
The historic airport was shut down last year and many Berliners feel the area should be used for the public or as the park. The Berlin Senate has decided it should be used for luxury departments.
There were small clashes with police in the Neukölln part of the airport. The policemen fired pepper spray to protestors approaching the fence and I observed some police brutality. Many photojournalists were also mistreated and our press freedom was not respected.
I also saw a photo of a protester who had a gun drawn on them by an undercover cop near Colombiadamm.
More information on their blog:
http://tempelhof.blogsport.de/
Contributor: joaopaglione
Date: 20 June 2009 - 11:00am
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