Germany: Several activist groups to stage protests in central Berlin Aug. 5

Event

Activists affiliated with several different groups plan to demonstrate in central Berlin, primarily in the vicinity of the Brandenburg Gate, during the afternoon and evening of Aug. 5.

Members of a movement calling itself Wir sind Viele (We Are Many) will assemble at Brandenburg Gate at 13:00 before staging a march through the city center starting at 14:00; participants will return to Brandenburg Gate for a rally between 16:00-20:00. The purpose of the gathering is to condemn the German government's COVID-19 policies and its military support for Ukraine.

Activists opposed to the Wir sind Viele agenda will stage a counterdemonstration, assembling at Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz at 12:00 before marching to an unspecified location along Eberstrasse north of Brandenburg Gate. Participants will follow a route that passes the city's Holocaust Memorial and arrive at the procession's endpoint at about 16:00; the gathering could last until 00:01 Aug. 6.

Additionally, at least five unrelated and likely smaller demonstrations will take place at Pariser Platz at varying times between the hours of 12:00-20:00 Aug. 5. It remains unclear how many participants each of the announced events may draw.

Heightened security and localized transport disruptions are likely near the Brandenburg Gate and along the march routes during the demonstrations. While the various events will very likely remain largely peaceful, low-level confrontations cannot be ruled out, particularly if activists from opposing groups gather in close proximity to each other.

Advice

Avoid protest and march areas as the demonstrations are taking place. Allow additional travel time to reach nearby destinations. Depart the area at the first indication of any security disturbance.