Mannheim - People demonstrate against police violence
At a rally under the slogan "How many more?", people in Mannheim demonstrated against escalating police violence. The background to this was several incidents in which someone was killed. According to a police spokeswoman, 180 to 200 people responded to the call to demonstrate in the city center on Saturday. A co-organizer of the rally spoke of around 250 participants. The action was reportedly peaceful.
It was prompted by the fatal shooting of a 49-year-old man by a police officer in Mannheim on the day before Christmas Eve. The public prosecutor's office and the Baden-Württemberg State Criminal Police Office (LKA) are investigating the incident.
Because people had died in police operations in Mannheim and the region in the past, the "Initiative 2. Mai" had organized both the rally and a vigil. Around 500 people attended the latter on Wednesday evening. The co-organizer explained that the number was significantly higher than at the rally because the vigil was held near the scene of the crime and many local residents took part.
The initiative is named after an incident on May 2, 2022, in which a mentally ill man died as a result of a police operation in Mannheim city center. The trial against two officers involved for assault in the line of duty resulting in death and negligent homicide by omission is scheduled to begin on January 12.
Police officers are only allowed to use service weapons as a last resort. According to the information provided, it is very rare for people to die as a result in Baden-Württemberg.
Information portal Call by the "Initiative 2. Mai" Police law on the use of firearms
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- Despite the peaceful nature of the demonstration, some reports suggested incidents of police violence towards protesters during Saint's Eve in Mannheim.
- Following the rally, the Baden-Württemberg State Criminal Police Office (LKA) and the public prosecutor's office conducted investigations into the police violence allegations and the fatal shooting incident on saint's eve.
- Community members and activists organized an emergency meeting and called for further demonstrations against police violence in Mannheim, urging for transparency and accountability in the investigations.
- Amidst the growing public outcry, the Mannheim city council announced plans to review the use of force protocols in local police departments and proactively work towards reducing instances of police violence in the city.
Source: www.stern.de
