May 1st Mostly Peaceful

"The most peaceful May riots in years," commented a radio speaker on the analysis of the police in Berlin Kreuzberg regarding Labor Day. This year, there were as few disturbances as there have been since 1987. According to police spokesperson Nicola Rothermel, this can be attributed to both the massive police presence and their de-escalation tactics. Emerging street battles were stifled in their infancy through targeted, massive interventions. Now, Berlin is eagerly anticipating next Sunday. On May 8th, in response to an NPD march on the anniversary of the end of the war through Berlin Mitte, disturbances from counter-demonstrators are feared. Thus, the danger may not be entirely averted, but merely shifted.