A Berlin court overturned a ban on a far-right rally. The state Interior Ministry had said the candle-lit march would negate the meaning of memorials on the anniversary of the Kristallnacht pogrom.
Berlin’s Administrative Court has lifted a ban on a far-right rally, which is planned to take place in the German capital on Friday evening – the 80th anniversary of the Kristallnacht pogrom against Jews.
The march, organized by extreme right-wing movement We are for Germany (WfD), had been called off on Wednesday by Berlin’s interior minister, Andreas Geisel.
Geisel, a member of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), had banned the rally saying its timing would negate the meaning and the significance of the memorial day.
“The idea that on the 80th anniversary of Kristallnacht right-wing extremists could march through the government district – perhaps in the dark with burning candle – I find it unbearable,” said Geisel.
However, Berlin’s Administrative Court ruled the ban was illegal and allowed the rally to take place. A court spokesperson said the march did not pose a threat to public order, a condition necessary to impose such bans.
Geisel said he would appeal the court’s decision.
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