Tree at Berlin CSD memorial site torn out after rainbow bench damaged

The tree planted to remember the Christopher Street Day attack in Berlin’s Tiergarten has been torn from the ground. It was destroyed only days after the rainbow bench beside it was violently damaged.

“

I am full of anger and disbelief, but also defiant

The Mitte district planted the French maple at the site in early August, replacing a tree that had been struck during the attack. Police said the latest destruction was discovered at about 1:20 a.m. Unknown perpetrators had pulled the tree out of the soil.

Werner Graf, the Berlin Greens’ parliamentary group leader, said he was shocked. “I am full of anger and disbelief, but also defiant,” he said. “I say to all queer people in this city: You are not alone.” Graf added: “We will plant this tree again. As often as necessary.”

“

I say to all queer people in this city: You are not alone

The memorial site was created after the July 25 attack, when a 21-year-old drove a delivery van into a crowd near the CSD event and then into a tree before attacking other victims with a machete. A woman from Poland died and 31 people were injured. The district installed the rainbow-colored bench and replanted the tree as a place of remembrance and a statement in favor of diversity, respect and self-determined lives.

“

We will plant this tree again. As often as necessary

Police said several wooden slats on the bench had been broken with “considerable physical force” days earlier. The district filed a complaint against unknown perpetrators and said it would rebuild the bench. The state security division of Berlin’s criminal police is investigating the bench damage and has taken over the case involving the maple tree.

“

considerable physical force