What happened?
Kitty O’Brien, a 25-year-old Irish pro-Palestine protester, says they were violently assaulted by German police during a demonstration in Berlin on August 28. O’Brien, who uses they/them pronouns, was punched several times, left bloodied, and later had their arm broken by the same officer.
The rally, organised to condemn Israel’s killing of journalists in Gaza, was held in Berlin’s Mitte district without prior authorisation. According to O’Brien, “it was just basically twice as many police officers as protesters,” describing the heavy police presence as typical at such rallies.
Injuries and long-term fears
O’Brien works as a costume designer, relying heavily on their hands. Doctors now fear permanent radial nerve damage in their right hand. “I’m not sure if or when I will regain feeling in my hand,” they said. “I’m lucky to work in something I love, but this could change everything.”
Police response and charges
German police confirmed 94 people were detained at the protest, with 96 investigations launched. O’Brien is facing accusations of insulting and resisting law enforcement. Authorities say they are also reviewing the officer’s actions to determine whether “proportionate force” was used.
Broader context
Germany has faced criticism for its handling of pro-Palestine protests. Activists say police brutality disproportionately targets Palestinian, Arab, and Black protesters, though solidarity groups like the Irish Bloc Berlin have also experienced force. “It’s not because we’re white,” O’Brien said. “It’s because we are standing beside brown people.”
Germany, one of Israel’s strongest allies in Europe, supplied 30% of Israel’s major arms imports between 2019 and 2023, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. While Berlin recently halted weapons exports to Israel, critics argue the government continues to suppress dissent at home.
Defiance despite injury
Despite the serious injury to their hand, O’Brien vowed to keep protesting. “There’s nothing that’s not worth risking to stop this genocide,” they said.
