Boris Rhein warns democracy must be defended on Berlin Wall anniversary
Minister-President Boris Rhein marked the 36th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, warning against complacency and urging unity in safeguarding democracy and freedom. He remembered the victims of the GDR's dictatorship and emphasized the enduring significance of freedom, democracy, and unity.
Rhein highlighted the importance of remaining vigilant, stating that freedom is not a given and must be actively defended. He praised the courage of East German citizens whose mass protests and travel demands ultimately led to the wall's opening. The peaceful revolution, he noted, serves as a testament to the power of courage and solidarity.
Rhein recalled the key figures behind the fall of the Berlin Wall. Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev's reforms and reduced intervention, along with East German leader Erich Honecker's resignation under mounting pressure, contributed to the wall's collapse. However, it was the brave actions of ordinary citizens that truly brought about change. A confused announcement by spokesperson Günter Schabowski on November 9, 1989, led to the East German government's decision to loosen border controls, triggering the wall's opening and rapid fall.
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