This year, the left-wing radical 18:00 demonstration on May 1st is taking a circular route through Berlin-Neukölln. Starting at Südstern in Kreuzberg, it will pass through Hermannplatz, Karl-Marx-Straße, Fuldastraße, and Sonnenallee before returning to Südstern. The police have received an internal assessment warning of potential unrest due to the planned route, especially on Sonnenallee where previous clashes have occurred. The demonstration, organized for 5000 people by a private individual, has raised concerns regarding possible disturbances in the area.
Several left-wing to left-extremist alliances are calling for the 18:00 demonstration, focusing on issues such as the Middle East conflict, the ban of the Palestinian prisoner network Samidoun, rising rents, the arrest of former RAF terrorist Daniela Klette, and climate and environmental policy. The police anticipate multiple blocks within the demonstration, including an anti-war block, an antifascist block, a class-struggle block, and a feminist block. There are concerns about potential violence, stone-throwing, and the formation of a front block by Palestinian groups.
In recent years, the May 1st demonstrations have seen an increasing focus on the Middle East issue and incidents of antisemitism. Groups like “Migrantifa” have organized their blocks within the demonstrations, with concerns growing about the politicization of the event. There is also internal dissent within the left-extremist scene regarding the direction of the demonstration, with influential accounts criticizing the departure from the former autonomous focus of May 1st events.
There are fears of localized disturbances along the planned route, passing by key targets of the left-extremist scene in Neukölln. The police anticipate substantial participation in the demonstration, likely reaching the five-figure range. They are also investigating recent attacks linked to the extremist scene, with concerns that such incidents could escalate further. Observers predict the demonstration may be disbanded early to avoid police controls, with the potential for confrontations with the press.
Security measures for the demonstration will include a significant police presence, possibly exceeding 5500 officers as in the past, with strict enforcement of banned Palestinian slogans and banners. The police will draw from previous aggressive events in planning their response, including recent New Year’s Eve incidents in Neukölln, previous May 1st demonstrations, and the propalestinian riots following the October 7th events. The WELT investigative team remains vigilant for potential escalation and will continue monitoring the situation closely.
