Just under two weeks after the Islamist terror attack on the edge of Berlin’s Christopher Street Day (CSD) parade, a new memorial site was unveiled on Thursday. In place of the tree that had to be felled following the car-ramming attack in the Tiergarten, a new tree was planted. Beside it, the Mitte district office installed a rainbow-colored bench. The new French maple tree at the scene is surrounded by a protective metal grate where people can place cards, photos, flowers, and personal messages without risking damage to the tree. The bench is also intended, according to the district office, to invite passersby to pause and share in quiet reflection and to express solidarity with the queer community. District Mayor Stefanie Remlinger (Greens) explained that it was important for the district to give the site a dignified presence. Officials say they are maintaining contact with the queer community to discuss a permanent memorial.
Attacker drives into crowd
During the July 25 attack, Islamist assailant Abdul Ballout drove a van into a group of people and then crashed the vehicle into the tree in Tiergarten (see TheColu.mn Live Blog). Afterwards the 21-year-old—presumably wielding a machete—attacked additional individuals before fleeing. A woman was killed and 31 people were injured, some severely. A day later, police shot the attacker in Berlin-Spandau as they attempted to apprehend him.
At the site near the Brandenburg Gate, people left flowers, wreaths, expressions of mourning, and other messages at several spots in the aftermath. To this day, many visitors come to the Tiergarten to process the attack and honor the victims.
