Memorial tree for CSD attack in Berlin's Tiergarten destroyed

A tree was destroyed in Berlin's Tiergarten that was intended to commemorate the attack on Christopher Street Day. Days ago, the rainbow bench next to the tree was violently damaged. The Berlin Mitte district only planted the maple tree at the site of the attack at the beginning of August.

According to the police spokeswoman, the destruction was discovered at around 1:20 a.m. Unknown perpetrators tore the tree out of the ground. Radio Berlin-Brandenburg first reported on the crime.

The Berlin Green Party leader Werner Graf was shocked. "I'm full of anger and bewilderment, but also defiant," he explained. “I say to all queer people in this city: You are not alone.” Graf announced: “We are planting this tree again. As often as necessary.”

In the attack on July 25, a 21-year-old drove a van into a crowd of people on the sidelines of the CSD event and then into a tree. He then attacked other victims with a machete. A woman from Poland was killed and 31 other people were injured.

The Mitte district replaced the tree that was knocked down and placed a rainbow-colored bench at the site of the attack. The district wanted to create a place for remembrance and set an example for diversity, respect and self-determined life.

A few days ago, according to the police, several wooden slats of the rainbow bench were broken off "with considerable physical force." The destruction caused horror across party lines. The district filed a criminal complaint against unknown persons and announced that it would rebuild the bank.

The police state security of the Berlin State Criminal Police Office is investigating the case for damage to property. He now also took over the investigation into the destroyed maple tree.