After the rainbow bench, the tree that was meant to commemorate the attack on the Christopher Street Day (CSD) parade in Berlin's Tiergarten has now also been destroyed. "Significant damage was found on the memorial tree," a spokeswoman for the Berlin police said on Sunday morning. The maple had only been planted at the beginning of August, at the site of the suspected Islamist-motivated attack.
According to the police spokeswoman, the destruction was discovered during the night at around 1.20am. The tree had been ripped out of the ground, and objects that had been placed at the site were also damaged. The perpetrators remain unknown. Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg (RBB) was the first to report the incident.
The leader of the Green Party parliamentary group in Berlin, Werner Graf, said he was shaken. "I am full of anger and disbelief, but also defiant," he said. "I say to all queer people in this city: you are not alone." Graf added: "We will plant this tree again. As often as it takes."
In the attack on 25 July, a 21-year-old drove a delivery van into a crowd on the edge of the CSD event and then steered it into a tree. He went on to attack further victims with a machete. A woman from Poland was killed and 31 other people were injured.
As an act of remembrance, the Mitte district replaced the tree that had to be felled after the attack and also installed a bench in rainbow colours. According to the district, the aim was to create a place for remembrance while at the same time sending a signal for diversity, respect and self-determined living.
The bench had already been damaged a few days ago. According to police, several wooden slats were pulled out of the metal frame "with considerable physical force" and the backrest was broken off the rest of the structure. The destruction caused dismay across party lines. The district filed a criminal complaint against persons unknown and announced that the bench would be rebuilt.
The police state security division of the Berlin State Criminal Police Office is investigating the case and has now also taken over the investigation into the destroyed maple tree. The inquiry is being conducted on suspicion of criminal damage.
From breaking news to thought-provoking opinion pieces, our newsletter keeps you informed & engaged.
By subscribing, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
