Berlin Police Remove Photos of Palestinian Prisoners From Protest Truck

Berlin police dismantled posters placed on a protest truck that participated in a Gaza solidarity rally on the twenty-fifth of November. The incident occurred in the central part of the city, where an authorized event was taking place with the participation of organizations advocating attention to the situation of Palestinian detainees. Images of Palestinian women prisoners accompanied by captions calling for their release were attached to the sides of the vehicle. Each poster displayed the prisoner’s name, her photograph, and a message urging the release of all Palestinian detainees. In addition to the text, the posters included an image of the Dome of the Rock, one of the most recognizable symbols often used in public initiatives related to Middle Eastern topics. Police officers approached the organizers with instructions to remove the materials, as, according to law enforcement, their content may fall under regulations governing the distribution of political images and calls in public spaces. Police representatives stated that the posted materials require additional legal review, and therefore a decision was made to dismantle them during the event. The organizers emphasized that the purpose of displaying the posters was to draw attention to the issue of Palestinian civilians held in detention and to demonstrate solidarity. However, to avoid the possible termination of the event or administrative action, the police request was fulfilled. The posters were removed by law enforcement officers with the participation of the organizers. They were carefully taken down and handed over to the vehicle owners. The police recorded the placement of the materials and forwarded the information for further review to the relevant services responsible for analyzing events and ensuring compliance with public assembly legislation. After the removal, the truck continued along the approved route. The rally was not interrupted and proceeded as planned. Participants adjusted the vehicle’s decoration to meet the requirements of municipal services. According to the police, the decision to remove the posters was based on existing guidelines regulating visual materials used in demonstrations and rallies. Law enforcement stated that their responsibility is to ensure compliance with legal regulations and prevent public order violations. The situation drew the attention of public groups monitoring developments related to protest actions in Germany. Municipal representatives noted their readiness to provide necessary clarifications to mass event organizers, including requirements for visual design, sound levels, and routes. Following the incident, discussions focused on the boundaries of what is permissible during public actions and on procedures for assessing materials for compliance with legislation. Municipal authorities stated that they would adhere to established rules when evaluating all similar cases. Participants and observers noted that the removal of the posters did not affect the overall conduct of the event. The rally concluded without major violations, and participants continued moving according to the plan. Police representatives emphasized that further evaluation of the materials will determine whether additional measures or clarifications regarding visual elements used in public actions are needed.