Berlin's Rave The Planet parade dances on under 1,500 police after CSD terror attack
Tens of thousands gathered for Berlin's Rave The Planet techno parade on August 15, the first large event in the city center since the July 25 CSD terror attack, with 1,500 police deployed and temperatures reaching 35°C.
First large event after the CSD attack
On July 25, an Islamist attacker drove a van into a crowd at the edge of Berlin's Christopher Street Day (CSD) and then attacked people with a machete, killing one woman and injuring at least 31 people, some severely. Three weeks later, on August 15, the city held its first large-scale event in the center: the "Rave The Planet" techno parade, now in its fifth edition. The route ran along the Straße des 17. Juni between Brandenburger Tor and the Siegessäule, through the Großer Tiergarten, close to the site of the July 25 attack. Organizers expected up to 300,000 attendees under the motto "Imagine Love." The parade, registered as a demonstration, aimed to call for peace, cohesion, and the protection of electronic music culture, according to the organizers. Dr. Motte, born Matthias Roeingh, co-founded the parade to continue the story of the Loveparade, which he and his team originally launched as a political demonstration.
- Islamist terror attack at CSD edge in Berlin: one woman killed, at least 31 injured
- Rave The Planet parade begins in Tiergarten with moment of silence for attack victims
- U-Bahn stations Brandenburger Tor and Bundestag closed
Security operation
Police deployed approximately 1,500 officers, supported by a helicopter and drones monitoring the event into the evening. Streets and paths in the surrounding area were closed, some secured with bollards. Officers patrolled on foot and on horseback through the sprawling Tiergarten. S-Bahn trains stopped serving the Brandenburger Tor station, and the U-Bahn stations Brandenburger Tor and Bundestag were closed from around 14:00. A police water cannon vehicle was positioned near the Siegessäule, primarily to spray cooling mist. The fire department and the organizer's medical service were on site with five emergency aid stations. In the previous year, many attendees had required treatment, mostly for what a fire department spokesperson described as "classic event symptoms" related to alcohol or drugs.
Moment of silence and opening
The parade opened with a moment of silence as thousands paused to remember the victims of the CSD attack. Dr. Motte addressed the opening rally and called on participants to think of love for themselves and for others.
Then perhaps world peace could arise from it. Let us make this vision a reality.
Julia Miosga from the Berlin CSD association and Anna-Maria Seifert from the Karneval der Kulturen also spoke at the opening.
Let us be brave. Let us show conviction. Now more than ever.
Heat and resilience
Thermometers showed 35°C in the shade, with one source citing up to 36°C expected. In direct sun on the Straße des 17. Juni and at the Großer Stern, temperatures were even higher. Music trucks driving between Brandenburger Tor and the Siegessäule released cooling water mist, and water hoses with small openings provided additional relief. Three points along the route offered free drinking water, and cooling areas were set up in the Tiergarten. Attendees like Conny and Julia from Cologne described the water cannon shower as "mega" and carried what they called "incredible amounts of water" in their backpacks. Many also brought water spray. Despite the heat and the proximity to the recent attack, tens of thousands danced continuously to the bass from the early afternoon into the evening.
