Protest against Egon Krenz being installed as chairman of the State Council outside the State Council building in East Berlin, 24 October 1989.
Quelle: picture-alliance/dpa/Wolfgang Kumm

Demonstrations in East Berlin

Bis zum Oktober 1989 erinnern Demonstranten auf dem Alexanderplatz an fast jedem siebenten Tag eines Monats an die Wahlfälschung vom 7. Mai 1989. Am 7. Oktober schließen sich Tausende der Demonstration an. Sie laufen in Richtung Palast der Republik, in dem die Feierlichkeiten zum 40. Jahrestag der Gründung der DDR stattfinden. Polizisten riegeln das Gebäude ab. Die Rufe der Demonstranten nach Reformen sind auch in den Innenräumen zu hören. Am Abend gehen staatliche Sicherheitskräfte brutal gegen die Protestierenden vor. Sie prügeln auf die Menschen ein und verhaften Hunderte Demonstranten.

Alexanderplatz, by the World Clock.
Quelle: Robert-Havemann-Gesellschaft/Nikolaus Becker/ RHG_Fo_NiBe_010_69
Alexanderplatz with the station in the background.
Quelle: Robert-Havemann-Gesellschaft/Nikolaus Becker
East Berlin’s town hall: demonstrators marching to the Palace of the Republic.
Quelle: Robert-Havemann-Gesellschaft/Nikolaus Becker
In the run-up to October 1989, regular demonstrations had been held on Alexanderplatz on the seventh day of most months, recalling the rigged elections of 7 May 1989. On 7 October, thousands of people joined the demonstrators. They marched towards the Palace of the Republic, where the celebrations for the fortieth anniversary of the GDR were going on. Police officers blocked off the building, but the demonstrators’ calls for reform were audible even inside. In the evening, state security forces took brutal action against the protesters, beating them and arresting hundreds of them. Police blocking access to the Palace of the Republic on Marx-Engels-Forum.
Quelle: Die Bundesbeauftragte für die Unterlagen des Staatssicherheitsdienstes der ehemaligen DDR
Demonstrators opposite the Palace of the Republic. The bridge is sealed off by police officers.
Quelle: Robert-Havemann-Gesellschaft/Nikolaus Becker
Back on Alexanderplatz: the demonstration turned towards Mollstraße.
Quelle: Robert-Havemann-Gesellschaft/Nikolaus Becker/RHG_Fo_NiBe_003_32
Mollstraße: police chains at the ADN building, the headquarters of the East German news agency.
Quelle: Robert-Havemann-Gesellschaft/Nikolaus Becker
In the run-up to October 1989, regular demonstrations had been held on Alexanderplatz on the seventh day of most months, recalling the rigged elections of 7 May 1989. On 7 October, thousands of people joined the demonstrators. They marched towards the Palace of the Republic, where the celebrations for the fortieth anniversary of the GDR were going on. Police officers blocked off the building, but the demonstrators’ calls for reform were audible even inside. In the evening, state security forces took brutal action against the protesters, beating them and arresting hundreds of them. Corner of Mollstraße and Karl-Liebknecht-Straße. Police arresting demonstrators.
Quelle: Robert Havemann Society/Nikolaus Becker
In the run-up to October 1989, regular demonstrations had been held on Alexanderplatz on the seventh day of most months, recalling the rigged elections of 7 May 1989. On 7 October, thousands of people joined the demonstrators. They marched towards the Palace of the Republic, where the celebrations for the fortieth anniversary of the GDR were going on. Police officers blocked off the building, but the demonstrators’ calls for reform were audible even inside. In the evening, state security forces took brutal action against the protesters, beating them and arresting hundreds of them. Arrest in Mollstraße.
Quelle: Robert Havemann Society/Nikolaus Becker
A chain of police officers and water cannons blocking off Schönhauser Allee.
Quelle: Robert-Havemann-Gesellschaft/Ralf Herzig
The Gethsemane Church tower in East Berlin with a banner for the vigil in October 1989.
Quelle: Robert-Havemann-Gesellschaft/Frank Ebert
A demonstrator lighting a candle at the vigil at East Berlin’s Gethsemane Church.
Quelle: Hans-Peter Stiebing
Demonstrators and civil rights activists in the GDR always faced the prospect of arrest. On 7 October 1989, Ulrike Poppe transferred custody of her children to Marianne Birthler in the event of her arrest.
Quelle: Marianne Birthler
Numerous witnesses and victims wrote reports on the brutal attacks by security forces in East Berlin on 7 an 8 October 1989. These were releases as an undergrund samizdat publication with a small print-run.
Quelle: Robert-Havemann-Gesellschaft
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