Berlin graduation party erupts into violent clash with police over noise complaints
A high school graduation celebration in Berlin turned into a clash between police and revellers late on Friday. Around 1,000 students had gathered outside the Zeiss Planetarium in Prenzlauer Berg when officers intervened following noise complaints. The confrontation led to arrests and criticism from local officials. The evening began as a typical graduation party, with students congregating near the planetarium to mark the end of their school years. But as the night went on, noise levels rose, prompting residents to call the police. Authorities responded by deploying a riot squad to disperse the crowd.
When the group refused to leave, tensions escalated. Bottles were thrown, and fireworks were set off in the direction of officers. Five people were arrested after the situation spiralled out of control.
Manuela Anders-Granitzki, Pankow's public order councillor for the CDU, condemned the students' actions. She described the scene as having 'nothing to do with celebrating' and called it an 'extreme lack of consideration'. Her remarks came amid broader concerns about the shrinking spaces available for young people to gather.
Youth clubs in Berlin have faced chronic underfunding, with many shutting down in recent years. At the same time, renting event spaces or visiting clubs has become increasingly expensive, leaving fewer affordable options. The city's response has included more police patrols, fences around parks, and stricter noise enforcement—measures that critics say restrict public life. The incident highlights the growing tension between young Berliners and authorities over access to public spaces. With fewer places to gather and rising costs, students are pushing back against what they see as an erosion of their right to celebrate. The arrests and official condemnation suggest further clashes may lie ahead.
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