Under the motto "love and solidarity," the group "I Furiosi" planned a party on Friday, December 9, 2016, to benefit the legal aid fund in Düsseldorf. […] During the night, the police arrived three times due to "disturbing the peace," ultimately with around 50 police officers. According to "I Furiosi," the party had already ended when the Düsseldorf police began to escalate in the middle of the "Left Center."
The police acted shockingly violently. Although there were initially negotiations between the organizers and the police, the situation escalated.
"[…] A scuffle followed, in which the police brutally slammed several guests to the ground, at times chasing them through the streets with dogs. Officers sprayed pepper spray from inside the venue at guests who had just left the venue at the police's request. By morning, it was clear: There were six arrests, dozens of injured guests, and great irritation over the disproportionate nature of the police operation."
The violence did not stop at the police headquarters either. Several of those taken into custody were beaten by police officers, had to undress in front of several officers, or were forcibly undressed and suffered further violent assaults.
The quotes come from the following text.
+++
The following text is taken from: http://www.sechel.it/i-furiosi-polizei-eskalation-party-linkes-zentrum/
"I Furiosi" complains about police escalation after a party at the "Left Center"
Under the motto "love and solidarity," the group "I Furiosi" planned a party on Friday, December 9, 2016, to benefit the legal aid fund in Düsseldorf. The festivities began at 11 PM. During the night, the police arrived three times due to "disturbing the peace," ultimately with around 50 police officers. According to "I Furiosi," the party had already ended when the Düsseldorf police began to escalate in the middle of the "Left Center."
The Sequence
Not only people from Düsseldorf traveled to the "Left Center" that evening to have a good time. The lineup particularly appealed to fans of electronic music. Accordingly, a "bass-heavy" evening was expected. After about two hours, the police drove to the location for the first time. Apparently, residents had complained about the noise level. According to the organizers, they responded by lowering the bass and turning down the music. About two hours later, officers appeared again due to "disturbing the peace." It was around 3 AM, and shortly thereafter, the police were to arrive for the third time. This time with plenty of reinforcements to end the party.
Guests at the party described that the music was barely audible, and they could converse at a normal volume in the hall. A sign at the back exit of the left venue indicated that the door should only be opened in case of emergency. Throughout the evening, the door was not opened once, also because "I Furiosi" knew that with the back door open, the music would echo into the backyard. When the police were inside the venue, the party was over. The guests slowly made their way outside. One policewoman was initially de-escalatory but applied pressure. In conversations between the organizers and the officer, it was made clear that the venue still needed to be cleaned up. The police officer seemed to understand and gave positive feedback, saying that five people could stay to clean up.
Meanwhile, many police units were in the backyard, and suddenly the police's strategy changed. An older officer went inside, aggressively and loudly demanding that the guests leave the venue immediately. Most were just gathering their jackets and bags; there were hardly any people left. Verbal disputes ensued, and remaining guests filmed the events, after which they were shoved down the stairs of the Left Center. A scuffle followed, in which the police brutally slammed several guests to the ground, at times chasing them through the streets with dogs. Officers sprayed pepper spray from inside the venue at guests who had just left the venue at the police's request. By morning, it was clear: There were six arrests, dozens of injured guests, and great irritation over the disproportionate nature of the police operation.
"Police arbitrariness, that might apply to 1945."
It was around 5:30 AM when nearly 50 police officers and 20 police cars were still stationed on Corneliusstraße. By now, guests had also returned who had left the party before the escalation. They discussed with the police, complaining about injuries and the disproportionate nature of the operation. In the conversation, the word "police arbitrariness" was often mentioned, at which point a riot officer intervened, stating that police arbitrariness might apply to 1945. A comment that hints at the political education of some police officers.
In short order, the "Left Center" was declared a crime scene, and forensic investigation was requested. Officers blocked the entrance in rows. The organizers described it as "an unprecedented occurrence." The reason for the forensic investigation: A bottle had been thrown, but neither on Corneliusstraße, nor in the backyard, nor in the Left Center were there any glass shards to be found; the forensic investigation also found no evidence. When lawyer Jasper Prigge arrived, the police withdrew, the operation was over. Prigge told "Sechel" about the police operation: "The operation has apparently completely spiraled out of control for the Düsseldorf police. Disturbing the peace was the reason, several injuries the result. I consider this approach to be disproportionate."
Afterward, it was discussed who had been taken into custody. Some people decided to go to the police headquarters and wait there for their release. It took until 10:00 AM for the last arrested person to leave the detention center. They reported individually about the measures taken by the Düsseldorf police. The first person complained of several blows to the face, explaining that they had been in handcuffs in the cell without any opportunity to drink. When they were released from the detention center, the policewoman who had hit them in the face multiple times said: "And in the end, we always win!" Later, the officer drove by in a patrol car and waved at them with a smile on her face.
When the second person came out, the full extent of police violence became evident. The "Sechel" editorial team has images showing a completely demolished eye. During the time he was in custody, he was denied access to a doctor for four hours by the police. Only then did a doctor appear, who advised him to seek an eye clinic as soon as possible after examining his injury. The fourth person reported that they were put into a prisoner transport vehicle that still had vomit from a previous operation. The "Sechel" editorial team also has a picture of this.
The organizing group "I Furiosi" expressed outrage shortly after the police operation ended at 7:20 AM. They posted a brief statement on Facebook, stating, "It would have been hard to end a party more violently." They also expressed their solidarity with the injured visitors and noted that it would have been easy for the police to end the situation without escalation, as "there was no danger at any time from the remaining guests."
+++
The following text is taken from: http://ifuriosi.org/artikel/nach-dem-einsatz-wegen-ruhestoerung-am-lz-uebergriffigkeiten-gegenueber-den-festgenommenen/
After the operation due to disturbing the peace at the LZ: Assaults against those arrested
As a result of an excessive police operation due to disturbing the peace from a party at the LZ on December 9, 2016, six visitors to the party were taken into custody. We document here the reports of those affected by unlawful assaults by police officers during the arrests or at the police headquarters on Jürgensplatz.
* A photojournalist, who was among the last guests, decided to document the police operation at the LZ. He loudly and clearly identified himself with his press card and held it up. The previously relatively relaxed situation escalated when a police officer attempted to violently prevent him and threw the photographer to the ground. The journalist was taken to the police headquarters.
Another visitor who protested against the arbitrary arrest of the journalist was also arrested. At the station, he had to undress for a search in the presence of female officers, who apparently observed the scene out of boredom.
* Another female visitor tried to capture this scene on her mobile phone video. This was also immediately prevented by the police. The young woman was also taken into custody and brought to the station. At the station, she was handcuffed on the ground and forcibly undressed, without being given the opportunity to do so herself.
* The police acted violently towards another visitor, who sustained several visible injuries to the face. Despite repeated requests for a doctor, he was only presented to a police doctor four hours after being taken into custody.
* The massive presence of police and the escalation of the situation due to the violent intervention of the police led to the last guests – as desired by the police – leaving the premises and the associated backyard in a panic. Instead of simply letting people go home, at least five of the guests were literally chased through the neighborhood. Two guests reported that police dogs had been unleashed near Fürstenplatz. This behavior of the police forces posed a danger not only to our guests but also to completely uninvolved passersby.* Another person randomly fell into the hands of a police force that seemed only interested in causing trouble. She had not even been at the party and wanted to lock her bicycle on Corneliusstraße about an hour after the police arrived. The officers waiting at the gate for the end of the operation rudely and without explanation demanded her identification and a breathalyzer test. Although the alcohol test was below the limit, the police decided to take the young woman to the station for a blood test. Despite her repeated objections that she was neither drunk nor involved, she was taken to the station in handcuffs – again without explanation. There, she was to undress for a search, which she refused. As a result, she was restrained on the ground and forcibly undressed down to her underwear in the presence of a male officer, with the officer even tearing the victim's bra. In response to her protest against this inexplicable and humiliating measure, the officer, who had her hands restrained behind her back on the ground, hit her multiple times in the face with an open hand, threatening further violence to silence her. The victim was released from the police station around 8:00 AM – without the supposedly necessary...
The police acted shockingly violently. Although there were initially negotiations between the organizers and the police, the situation escalated.
"[…] A scuffle followed, in which the police brutally slammed several guests to the ground, at times chasing them through the streets with dogs. Officers sprayed pepper spray from inside the venue at guests who had just left the venue at the police's request. By morning, it was clear: There were six arrests, dozens of injured guests, and great irritation over the disproportionate nature of the police operation."
The violence did not stop at the police headquarters either. Several of those taken into custody were beaten by police officers, had to undress in front of several officers, or were forcibly undressed and suffered further violent assaults.
The quotes come from the following text.
+++
The following text is taken from: http://www.sechel.it/i-furiosi-polizei-eskalation-party-linkes-zentrum/
"I Furiosi" complains about police escalation after a party at the "Left Center"
Under the motto "love and solidarity," the group "I Furiosi" planned a party on Friday, December 9, 2016, to benefit the legal aid fund in Düsseldorf. The festivities began at 11 PM. During the night, the police arrived three times due to "disturbing the peace," ultimately with around 50 police officers. According to "I Furiosi," the party had already ended when the Düsseldorf police began to escalate in the middle of the "Left Center."
The Sequence
Not only people from Düsseldorf traveled to the "Left Center" that evening to have a good time. The lineup particularly appealed to fans of electronic music. Accordingly, a "bass-heavy" evening was expected. After about two hours, the police drove to the location for the first time. Apparently, residents had complained about the noise level. According to the organizers, they responded by lowering the bass and turning down the music. About two hours later, officers appeared again due to "disturbing the peace." It was around 3 AM, and shortly thereafter, the police were to arrive for the third time. This time with plenty of reinforcements to end the party.
Guests at the party described that the music was barely audible, and they could converse at a normal volume in the hall. A sign at the back exit of the left venue indicated that the door should only be opened in case of emergency. Throughout the evening, the door was not opened once, also because "I Furiosi" knew that with the back door open, the music would echo into the backyard. When the police were inside the venue, the party was over. The guests slowly made their way outside. One policewoman was initially de-escalatory but applied pressure. In conversations between the organizers and the officer, it was made clear that the venue still needed to be cleaned up. The police officer seemed to understand and gave positive feedback, saying that five people could stay to clean up.
Meanwhile, many police units were in the backyard, and suddenly the police's strategy changed. An older officer went inside, aggressively and loudly demanding that the guests leave the venue immediately. Most were just gathering their jackets and bags; there were hardly any people left. Verbal disputes ensued, and remaining guests filmed the events, after which they were shoved down the stairs of the Left Center. A scuffle followed, in which the police brutally slammed several guests to the ground, at times chasing them through the streets with dogs. Officers sprayed pepper spray from inside the venue at guests who had just left the venue at the police's request. By morning, it was clear: There were six arrests, dozens of injured guests, and great irritation over the disproportionate nature of the police operation.
"Police arbitrariness, that might apply to 1945."
It was around 5:30 AM when nearly 50 police officers and 20 police cars were still stationed on Corneliusstraße. By now, guests had also returned who had left the party before the escalation. They discussed with the police, complaining about injuries and the disproportionate nature of the operation. In the conversation, the word "police arbitrariness" was often mentioned, at which point a riot officer intervened, stating that police arbitrariness might apply to 1945. A comment that hints at the political education of some police officers.
In short order, the "Left Center" was declared a crime scene, and forensic investigation was requested. Officers blocked the entrance in rows. The organizers described it as "an unprecedented occurrence." The reason for the forensic investigation: A bottle had been thrown, but neither on Corneliusstraße, nor in the backyard, nor in the Left Center were there any glass shards to be found; the forensic investigation also found no evidence. When lawyer Jasper Prigge arrived, the police withdrew, the operation was over. Prigge told "Sechel" about the police operation: "The operation has apparently completely spiraled out of control for the Düsseldorf police. Disturbing the peace was the reason, several injuries the result. I consider this approach to be disproportionate."
Afterward, it was discussed who had been taken into custody. Some people decided to go to the police headquarters and wait there for their release. It took until 10:00 AM for the last arrested person to leave the detention center. They reported individually about the measures taken by the Düsseldorf police. The first person complained of several blows to the face, explaining that they had been in handcuffs in the cell without any opportunity to drink. When they were released from the detention center, the policewoman who had hit them in the face multiple times said: "And in the end, we always win!" Later, the officer drove by in a patrol car and waved at them with a smile on her face.
When the second person came out, the full extent of police violence became evident. The "Sechel" editorial team has images showing a completely demolished eye. During the time he was in custody, he was denied access to a doctor for four hours by the police. Only then did a doctor appear, who advised him to seek an eye clinic as soon as possible after examining his injury. The fourth person reported that they were put into a prisoner transport vehicle that still had vomit from a previous operation. The "Sechel" editorial team also has a picture of this.
The organizing group "I Furiosi" expressed outrage shortly after the police operation ended at 7:20 AM. They posted a brief statement on Facebook, stating, "It would have been hard to end a party more violently." They also expressed their solidarity with the injured visitors and noted that it would have been easy for the police to end the situation without escalation, as "there was no danger at any time from the remaining guests."
+++
The following text is taken from: http://ifuriosi.org/artikel/nach-dem-einsatz-wegen-ruhestoerung-am-lz-uebergriffigkeiten-gegenueber-den-festgenommenen/
After the operation due to disturbing the peace at the LZ: Assaults against those arrested
As a result of an excessive police operation due to disturbing the peace from a party at the LZ on December 9, 2016, six visitors to the party were taken into custody. We document here the reports of those affected by unlawful assaults by police officers during the arrests or at the police headquarters on Jürgensplatz.
* A photojournalist, who was among the last guests, decided to document the police operation at the LZ. He loudly and clearly identified himself with his press card and held it up. The previously relatively relaxed situation escalated when a police officer attempted to violently prevent him and threw the photographer to the ground. The journalist was taken to the police headquarters.
Another visitor who protested against the arbitrary arrest of the journalist was also arrested. At the station, he had to undress for a search in the presence of female officers, who apparently observed the scene out of boredom.
* Another female visitor tried to capture this scene on her mobile phone video. This was also immediately prevented by the police. The young woman was also taken into custody and brought to the station. At the station, she was handcuffed on the ground and forcibly undressed, without being given the opportunity to do so herself.
* The police acted violently towards another visitor, who sustained several visible injuries to the face. Despite repeated requests for a doctor, he was only presented to a police doctor four hours after being taken into custody.
* The massive presence of police and the escalation of the situation due to the violent intervention of the police led to the last guests – as desired by the police – leaving the premises and the associated backyard in a panic. Instead of simply letting people go home, at least five of the guests were literally chased through the neighborhood. Two guests reported that police dogs had been unleashed near Fürstenplatz. This behavior of the police forces posed a danger not only to our guests but also to completely uninvolved passersby.* Another person randomly fell into the hands of a police force that seemed only interested in causing trouble. She had not even been at the party and wanted to lock her bicycle on Corneliusstraße about an hour after the police arrived. The officers waiting at the gate for the end of the operation rudely and without explanation demanded her identification and a breathalyzer test. Although the alcohol test was below the limit, the police decided to take the young woman to the station for a blood test. Despite her repeated objections that she was neither drunk nor involved, she was taken to the station in handcuffs – again without explanation. There, she was to undress for a search, which she refused. As a result, she was restrained on the ground and forcibly undressed down to her underwear in the presence of a male officer, with the officer even tearing the victim's bra. In response to her protest against this inexplicable and humiliating measure, the officer, who had her hands restrained behind her back on the ground, hit her multiple times in the face with an open hand, threatening further violence to silence her. The victim was released from the police station around 8:00 AM – without the supposedly necessary...
