Protests against fence construction: Görlitzer Park becomes a political issue!

Protests against fence construction: Görlitzer Park becomes a political issue!

A lot is happening at Görlitzer Park in Berlin-Kreuzberg. After more than two years of intensive discussion, construction of a fence has begun, and that is causing a lot of excitement. Around 900 opponents of the project demonstrated peacefully against the construction work on Monday evening. The rally was registered by the “Socialist Youth Organization” and ended at 7:00 p.m. Police spokesman Martin Stralau reported that everything went smoothly, even if the protesters had a lot to criticize.

The controversial measure stipulates that the park should close from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. in winter and from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. in summer. Interior Senator Iris Spranger (SPD) described the implementation as a “very emotional process”. The closure is being done in particular to curb drug trafficking and violent crime, which have been a major issue in the park for years. Last year, 1,567 crimes were registered in Görlitzer Park, including 719 violations of the Narcotics Act. Residents and social workers who fight to improve the situation on site every day are the ones who have to nibble on this.

Measures and protests

The police want to protect the construction site during the work; the number of emergency services is determined depending on need. Environment Senator Ute Bonde (CDU) announced that the construction site would first be set up. No-parking zones were declared on Monday morning. Critics see building fences as an inadequate solution to a complex problem. Many believe that closing the park will only shift the situation without actually addressing the causes.

Görlitzer Park has had a negative image in the past, characterized by drug control and acts of violence, while there is always a festival atmosphere. Fixpunkt social workers are active every day to resolve conflicts. Intercultural mediators point out that many of the dealers have no other choice and do not have a work permit. At the same time, Brigitta Varadinek, founder of the Bantabaa association, points to the failed asylum policy and calls for legal work opportunities for refugees.

Costs and progress

The financial framework for the fence and the associated maintenance amounts to around 1.7 million euros, which also includes security measures. The construction work is expected to be completed by the end of the year. While the project is in the first construction phases, the question remains as to whether the fence can actually achieve the desired effects in the long term.

However, one problem remains: the demand for drugs and the associated crime in the park, which has been seen as an urgent need to be addressed by residents and initiatives for years. For many, the planned closure is a critical issue, and the debate about how Görlitzer Park can be used in the future will certainly continue for a long time. What further developments will look like remains to be seen.

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