Berlin protest demands justice for victims of police brutality and systemic reform
Around 500 people gathered at Berlin's Oranienplatz on March 15 to mark the International Day Against Police Brutality. The event honoured victims of racism and police violence while calling for systemic change. Among the crowd was Mutombo Mansamba, whose brother died in 2022 during a police operation and who is now running for local office in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg.
The demonstration was organised by the No Isolated Cases—Police Kill! alliance, a group campaigning against police militarisation and new security laws in Berlin. Speakers criticised the General Security and Public Order Act (ASOG), which allows permanent AI surveillance in so-called crime hotspots. The alliance argued that poverty and a colonial-patriarchal system—not policing—fuel many offences in these areas.
Protesters also highlighted the lack of accountability within police institutions. They pointed to difficulties in filing complaints and the restricted access to case files for Berlin's police ombudsman. The message was clear: since the state fails to address police brutality, communities must protect one another. Recent statistics underscore the urgency. Since 2020, at least 84 people have been killed by police gunfire in Germany, including 22 in 2024 and 7 by early April 2025. One high-profile case involved 21-year-old Lorenz A. from Oldenburg, shot multiple times from behind on Easter Sunday 2025. The officer involved was later charged with negligent manslaughter in November 2025. About 150 police officers were deployed at the event, monitoring the peaceful gathering. The alliance used the occasion to push for redirecting funds from policing to social programmes, aiming to build a broader movement against systemic violence.
The day ended with calls for solidarity and continued pressure on authorities. Organisers stressed the need for public oversight and structural reforms to prevent further deaths. The event reinforced demands for transparency and a shift in how communities are policed.
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