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Berlin Wall section removed despite protests Berlin Wall section removed despite protests
(35 minutes later)
Construction workers backed by German police have removed a section of the Berlin Wall to make way for a building project, despite calls for the historic site be preserved. Construction workers backed by German police have removed a section of the Berlin Wall to make way for a building project, despite calls for the historic site to be preserved.
Local residents expressed shock at the removal of the East Side Gallery, as that section is known, which followed a series of protests, including one attended by actor David Hasselhoff. Residents expressed shock at the removal of the East Side Gallery, as that section is known, which followed a series of protests, including one attended by the actor David Hasselhoff.
A police spokesman, Alexander Toennies, said there were no incidents as work began at about 5am to take down four sections of the wall, each about 1.2 metres wide, to make way for an access route to the planned high-rise luxury flats along the Spree river. A police spokesman, Alexander Tönnies, said there were no incidents as work had begun at about 5am to take down four sections of the wall, each about 1.2 metres wide, to make way for an access route to the planned high-rise luxury flats along the Spree river.
The East Side Gallery is the longest remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall. Construction staff removed a piece earlier this month but a public outcry halted building work, with local politicians saying they would look for a solution to keep the rest of the wall intact. The East Side Gallery is the longest remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall. Construction staff removed a piece earlier this month but a public outcry halted building work, with local politicians saying they would look for a way to keep the rest of the wall intact.
Toennies said: "Developer Maik Uwe Hinkel had the right to do this and he informed us a few days ago about his plans. Last night we were told that he wanted to remove the wall pieces early this morning." Tönnies said: "Developer Maik Uwe Hinkel had the right to do this and he informed us a few days ago about his plans. Last night we were told that he wanted to remove the wall pieces early this morning."
Plans to remove part of the near-mile-long section sparked protests amid concerns the developers were sacrificing history for profit.Plans to remove part of the near-mile-long section sparked protests amid concerns the developers were sacrificing history for profit.
At least 136 people died trying to scale the wall that divided communist-run East and West Berlin. During the ensuing years the stretch has become a tourist attraction, with colourful paintings decorating the ageing concrete tiles. At least 136 people died trying to scale the wall that divided communist-run East Berlin from West Berlin. During the ensuing years the stretch has become a tourist attraction, with colourful paintings decorating the ageing concrete tiles.
Kani Alavi, head of an East Side Gallery artists' group, said: "I can't believe they came here in the dark in such a sneaky manner. All they see is their money, they have no understanding for the historic relevance and art of this place." Kani Alavi, head of an East Side Gallery artists' group, said: "I can't believe they came here in the dark in such a sneaky manner. All they see is their money. They have no understanding for the historic relevance and art of this place."
By mid-morning the six-metre gap was covered by a wooden fence and guarded by scores of police officers.By mid-morning the six-metre gap was covered by a wooden fence and guarded by scores of police officers.
"If you take these parts of the Wall away, you take away the soul of the city," said Ivan McClostney, 32, who moved to the area from Ireland a year ago. "This way, you make it like every other city. It's so sad." "If you take these parts of the wall away, you take away the soul of the city," said Ivan McClostney, 32, who moved to the area from Ireland a year ago. "This way, you make it like every other city. It's so sad."
Hinkel said the removal of parts of the wall was a temporary measure to enable trucks to access the building site. He said after four weeks of fruitless negotiations with city officials and owners of adjacent properties he was no longer willing to wait. Hinkel said the removal of parts of the wall was a temporary measure to enable trucks to gain access to the building site. He said after four weeks of fruitless negotiations with city officials and owners of adjacent properties, he was no longer willing to wait.
The East Side Gallery was recently restored at a cost of more than £2m to the city. The section of wall stood on the eastern side of the elaborate border strip built by communist East Germany after it sealed off West Berlin in 1961. At least 136 people died trying to scale the wall until it was opened on 9 November 1989. The East Side Gallery was recently restored at a cost of over £2m to the city. The section of wall stood on the eastern side of the elaborate border strip, built by communist East Germany after it sealed off West Berlin in 1961. At least 136 people died trying to scale the wall until it was opened on 9 November 1989.
The stretch of wall was transformed into an open-air gallery months after the opening and has been covered in murals by up to 120 artists. The designs include the famous image of the boxy East German Trabant car that appears to burst through the wall, and a fraternal communist kiss between Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev and his East German counterpart, Erich Honecker. The stretch of wall was transformed into an open-air gallery months after the opening, and has been covered in murals by up to 120 artists. The designs include the famous image of the boxy East German Trabant car, appearing to burst through the wall, and a fraternal communist kiss between the former Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev and his East German counterpart Erich Honecker.