Berliners rally in memory of Tel Aviv shooting victims
Some 1,500 people march on streets of German capital following attack on gay and lesbian youth center
An anti-homophobia rally was held in Berlin on Tuesday evening in the presence of 1,500 protestors. Aviv Neter, an Israeli currently residing in the German capital, who took part in the demonstration, told Ynet of the rally and the atmosphere in Berlin following Saturday evening's deadly attack on a gay and lesbian youth center in Tel Aviv.
"I'm still in shock by the fact that everyone has coming together here. People were so moved that they cried," he related.
The demonstration started at 5 pm in the city's main square and concluded at the memorial monument for Holocaust victims murdered for their sexual orientation.Protestors laid yellow memorial bouquets at the monument in memory of Nir Katz and Liz Trubeshi who were murdered in the shooting attack in Tel Aviv.
- Watch support rally on YouTube
Rally in Berlin (Photo: Reuters)
Neter, a friend of Katz's, said that "the German gay and lesbian community organized everything. Israelis here were, and still are, shocked by the incident. A very famous drag queen named Viagra organized the rally. She contacted me seeing as I organize gay parties for Israelis in Berlin and found out that I knew Nir personally, so I also made a speech and it was very moving."
Neter wished to stress that he found it very important that people in Israel saw what he referred to as the Germans' love display for the Jewish state.
Neter further added, "What is striking about the whole thing is all of the top night life people's willingness to take part in the rally. It took me by surprise. All of the websites of the best clubs' biggest parties changed their main image to the gay flag with a memorial candle. It was amazing. I couldn't believe it; literally everybody was there (at the rally). We were there - a group of Israelis along side Germans, and people just cried they were so moved.
"I've lived in Berlin for three years now and the Holocaust victims' monument is a place I take everyone who come to visit me, but I never believed I'd lay flowers on it in memory of a murdered friend," he said.
