Berlin commemorates the 72nd anniversary of the East German uprising of June 17, 1953, when over a million people protested for democracy and free elections. The uprising was violently suppressed, resulting in at least 55 deaths and 15,000 arrests. Governing Mayor Kai Wegner honored the brave individuals who fought for freedom, stressing the importance of vigilance in protecting democracy today. His participation in memorial ceremonies underscores the necessity of remembering those who perished in pursuit of democratic ideals, especially amidst contemporary threats to freedom.
"Democracy and freedom are not a given they must be defended and experienced every day," Wegner said, emphasizing the ongoing relevance of the uprising.
More than a million people took to the streets demanding democracy, free elections, and German unity, highlighting the desire for political change in 1953.
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