More than 2.2 million people have signed a petition calling for a Germany-wide ban on firecrackers, rockets and pyrotechnics, titled ‘Nationwide ban on fireworks, now!’. The Gewerkschaft der Polizei Berlin (Berlin Police Union) started the petition to call for a stop to fireworks-based violence against its responders, with State Chairman Stephan Weh advocating for a safe New Year’s Eve.
But the call goes beyond their intentions. Multiple organisations, including the German Animal Welfare Federation and German Environmental Aid, have called for a ban before now. The 2.2 million signatures alone shows that this sentiment is backed by a huge number of people.
The GdP handed over the petition to the Interior Ministers’ Conference on Thursday, which has been taking place in Bremen this week. They have been debating whether private fireworks should be banned in the city centre, including on future New Year’s Eves.
However, this would require an amendment to the Explosives Ordinance at the federal level. Interior ministers have not yet agreed on a ban – but the conversation is far from over.
