Monday, June 17
71 years on, federal and state governments commemorate deadly GDR uprising
On June 17, 1953 some one million residents took to the streets in East Berlin and throughout the GDR. 36 years before the fall of the Berlin Wall, citizens were fed up with increased working hours, and demanded improved living conditions, free elections and German unification.
GDR leadership and occupying Soviet troops violently shut down the protests. At least 55 people were killed and 15,000 arrested, with around 1,500 later being convicted.
Today, federal and state governments are commemorating the uprising with various events, including one at the Seestrasse cemetery in Wedding, where mayor Kai Wegner is expected to attend.
