Tuesday, April 29
Drones, water cannons and 6,000 officers: Police prepare for May 1
This Thursday, between 5,000 and 6,000 police officers will be on duty as Berlin prepares for large-scale demonstrations to mark International Workers’ Day. May 1 is always busy in Berlin and, while no one expects a return to the riots and car-burning of decades ago, it’s clear that the police are preparing for a significant operation in the capital.
The security measures are extensive: police will deploy “drone defence” technology; ten “lighting systems” will be on standby to illuminate key locations in case of emergencies; water cannons will be at the ready; and dozens of “conflict managers” will monitor the demonstrations, aiming to de-escalate any potential flashpoints.
Ahead of the event, police have been publicising their surveillance efforts, telling the press how they have attended left-wing events and discussions in recent months in an attempt to prevent violence at the planning stage. Officers have already issued 40 “threat warnings” to activists previously involved in violent acts, and have closely monitored the route of the most prominent march, organised by the Migrantifa group under the banner Revolutionary May 1. This march is expected to draw particular attention from the authorities due to its explicitly pro-Palestinian stance. More than 10,000 demonstrators are expected.
That march begins at 18:00 at Südstern and is the latest-starting political event of the day. Other prominent demonstrations include the Take Back the Night march on April 30 at Mariannenplatz, a march from the German Trade Union Confederation in Wedding on May 1 at 10:00, the Rave Against the Zaun demo at midday at Görlitzer Park, and the satirical My Gruni demonstration in Grunewald at 13:00.
