Tuesday, January 7
Petitions to ban firecrackers handed over: Almost 2 million signatures
The Police Union and German Environmental Aid presented two petitions calling for a nationwide ban on private fireworks to the Federal Ministry of the Interior on Monday. A total of 1.96 million signatures have been collected in the two online petitions. The appeal is also supported by around 35 initiatives and organisations, including the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union and animal rights groups like PETA.
Around 50 supporters gathered in a small rally in front of the Federal Ministry in Mitte to mark the handover on Monday afternoon. The petition calls for a ban on firecrackers in private areas and a ban on the sale of fireworks to amateurs. Only professionally-organised fireworks displays in central locations would be permitted.
According to Stephan Weh, head of the Berlin Police Union, one of the goals of their petition is to protect emergency services on New Year’s Eve. “Every year at the beginning of January, people talk about it, promise a lot, but do nothing to stop this madness. To be honest, we can no longer hear these expressions of sympathy from the political sphere if the framework conditions do not finally change.” “The only thing that will help against the chaotic conditions at the turn of the year is a general ban on firecrackers” added Jürgen Resch, head of the German Environmental Aid.
