Berlin witnessed a massive turnout for the annual “Luxemburg Liebknecht Lenin” (LLL) demonstration, as thousands of communists and socialists marched to the “Cemetery of Socialists” to honor the legacies of Rosa Luxemburg, Karl Liebknecht, and Vladimir Lenin. The event, which draws participants from across Germany, serves as a platform to highlight anti-imperialist and anti-war causes.
However, this year’s protest was marred by violent clashes with police, leading to severe injuries and multiple arrests. Witnesses report excessive force, with one older man requiring resuscitation via an AED after being repeatedly struck on the head by officers. Four other participants, including two minors, were hospitalized due to their injuries.
The organizers condemned the police's actions, reiterating the protest's anti-imperialist stance. A spokesperson stated, “Our struggle is against imperialist wars, against the danger of a worldwide inferno destroying civilization. Germany must never again become capable of war, and German tanks should never again fire on Russians.”
The LLL protest has historically been a significant event for Germany’s leftist movements, symbolizing resistance to militarism and war. This year’s violent escalation raises concerns about the state’s approach to dissent and freedom of assembly.
