Berlin police dispersed pro-Palestinian protest at university: 95 people arrested
89 people seized a lecture hall at Humboldt University, displaying flags and slogans in support of Palestine and Hamas. Police used force and launched dozens of cases.
Photo: Antonio Vera, CC BY-SA 2.0
On April 17, police in Berlin, involving 350 officers, ended the occupation of a lecture hall at Humboldt University. The information was published on the website of the Berlin Police.
Around 2:00 PM, 89 activists stormed the Emil-Fischer-Hörsaal and barricaded themselves inside, while another 120 supporters gathered outside with Palestinian flags and symbols.
Slogans glorifying Hamas — recognized as a terrorist organization in Germany — were displayed from the windows. Protesters also threw pyrotechnics and splashed a liquid, presumably urine, on police officers.
Following a request from the university administration, an operation to storm the hall began around 3:30 PM. By 5:20 PM, law enforcement had breached the doors and escorted all participants out to verify their identities.
During the arrests, two police officers sustained hand injuries.
In total, the police detained 95 people and initiated 100 cases, including charges of disturbing public order, promoting terrorism, and resisting law enforcement.
Earlier, it was reported that in Amsterdam, a group of activists occupied a university administrative building, demanding the severing of all academic ties with Israeli institutions; protesters used masks, shields, and built barricades inside the campus.
It was also reported that in New York, a rally was held near Trump Tower in support of an arrested Palestinian activist, during which police detained 98 protestors who demanded his release.