Twenty-plus years after President Ronald Reagan ordered Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to “tear down this wall,” the final remnants are going to be torn down — to make room to build luxury apartments.
Six thousand protesters rallied Sunday at the portion of the wall — the last piece that still stands that once divided East and West Berlin — now known as the East Side Gallery, USA Today reported. City authorities gave the go-ahead to tear down the wall for a high-rise luxury complex and bridge.
“I’m outraged by the decision to tear down this monument,” said Hildegard Heyer, a Berliner who joined the protest, USA Today reports. “The East Side Gallery belongs to the history of Berlin and everyone.”
Protesters were able to stall the demolition. On Friday, they blocked a crane from ripping out a 73-foot section of the wall, which is one of Berlin’s biggest tourist attractions. Its most interesting drawing: The wall contains a mural of a kiss between Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev and his East German counterpart Erich Honecker.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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