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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Controversy over U2's Berlin wall | Controversy over U2's Berlin wall |
| (about 14 hours later) | |
| A U2 show marking the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall ran into controversy after organisers built a wall around the venue. | |
| A two metre barrier was erected around the Brandenburg gate to keep out people without tickets for the show. | |
| "It's a shame that a barrier has been set up. It's stopping many Berliners from hearing the concert," local politician Frank Henkel told the BBC. | "It's a shame that a barrier has been set up. It's stopping many Berliners from hearing the concert," local politician Frank Henkel told the BBC. |
| The U2 show was part of the MTV Europe Music Awards. | |
| Ten thousand tickets were given away free online and snapped up within hours. | Ten thousand tickets were given away free online and snapped up within hours. |
| U2 were also named best live act at the MTV Europe Awards after their gig | |
| Police in the city said they were expecting as many as 100,000 people to descend on the square in front of the Brandenburg Gate to try and catch a glimpse of U2. | |
| Mr Henkel, Christian Democrat floor leader in the Berlin city-state parliament, said: "It would have been so much better if as many Berliners as possible could have taken part. | Mr Henkel, Christian Democrat floor leader in the Berlin city-state parliament, said: "It would have been so much better if as many Berliners as possible could have taken part. |
| "We don't know who's responsible for this, whether it's U2 or MTV. | "We don't know who's responsible for this, whether it's U2 or MTV. |
| He continued: "10,000 people is a lot, but U2 could have had an even bigger audience enjoying their music at this wonderful location." | He continued: "10,000 people is a lot, but U2 could have had an even bigger audience enjoying their music at this wonderful location." |
| U2 manager Paul McGuinness said Berliners thought it was "pretty ironic" that an event to mark the falling of the wall has resulted in another one being constructed. | |
| Fans, too, were displeased. | Fans, too, were displeased. |
| "It's completely ridiculous that they are blocking the view," said Louis-Pierre Boily, a Canadian fan who travelled to Berlin despite failing to secure tickets for the show. | "It's completely ridiculous that they are blocking the view," said Louis-Pierre Boily, a Canadian fan who travelled to Berlin despite failing to secure tickets for the show. |
| "I thought it's a free show, but MTV probably wants people to watch it on TV to get their ratings up." | |
| 'Safety and security' | |
| But MTV said it worked with the local promoter, the city and police to install a temporary fence "around the site to ensure the safety and security of the attendees at the event as well as residents and businesses in the area". | |
| Berlin Mayor Klaus Wowereit said: "The Pariser Platz was the scene for a joyful celebration of peace, love, freedom and music that Berlin will never forget. | |
| "Congratulations to U2 and MTV for bringing this unique moment of musical history to the city of Berlin." | |
| U2's representatives declined to comment. |