Germany is a nation where people's will is a wrath of god. In the two-month period I have been in Berlin, I followed the news about huge demonstrations in Stuttgart and anti-nuclear protests everywhere in the country.
The anti-nuclear protests are mostly peaceful. People were only voicing their anger over the government's decision to keep nuclear reactors in use beyond a deadline set by the previous government. The one in Berlin gathered more than 30,000 people in September. Unfortunately, I missed it!
One demonstration in Stuttgart brought together around 60,000 people, who took to the streets to demonstrate against "Stuttgart 21" - a multi-billion-dollar plan to reconstruct the city's train station. The peaceful rally quickly degenerated into violence. Police used water cannons and pepper spray to clear a park where activists had gathered, injuring more than 100 people.
Yesterday (Oct. 9), I experienced one demonstration in Berlin. At first, I thought the rally was an echo of Stuttgart project in the capital city or anti-nuclear protest again. However, the theme-song singing, colorful banners, and the military-type of march gave the parade an impression of show rather than a demonstration.
It turned out the soccer fans were demonstrating against the commercialization of Germany's football (soccer) league. The "Zum Erhalt der Fankulture" (To Obtain the Fan Culture) rally was represented by ca. 4,000 fans from all over Germany. In addition to the increasing commercialization of football, the demonstrators also criticized the rising ticket prices, fan unfriendly kick-off times and heavy-handed action by the police.
Demonstrations seem to be a type of German culture of its own! I have never cared too much about soccer games and was quite surprised even soccer fans can unite themselves regardless which team they support. I, for one, cannot imagine Maryland and Duke basketball fans rally together to criticize the high NBA ticket price!
The rally in Stuttgart was not peaceful. Protesters threw objects at the police, climbed on and under their police cars and set fireworks off on their vehicles. While I do not support police violence, I do think some response was appropriate in this case.
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