Irish Protester Alleges Police Violence During Berlin Demonstration

Irish protester Kitty O’Brien has accused Berlin police of excessive violence during a recent pro-Palestine demonstration. The incident occurred on March 15, 2025, when O’Brien was assaulted while participating in a rally protesting Israel’s actions in Gaza. Following the event, she shared a video on social media that captured her being punched twice in the face, which has since garnered significant attention.

In her Instagram post, the 25-year-old Dubliner expressed her belief that her experience reflects a wider issue concerning the treatment of activists in Berlin. “The video of me being beaten went viral because I’m white, but the violence I experienced is just a drop in the ocean compared to what my Palestinian, Arab and other racialised comrades have endured at the hands of the German state police over the past two years,” O’Brien stated.

Opposition politicians and human rights advocates in Berlin have called on the Irish Government to apply increased pressure on local authorities regarding their police’s response to pro-Palestine activists. O’Brien emphasized the need for collective outrage, stating, “If what happened to me outraged you, that same energy needs to be directed at every act of violence carried out by the Berlin police, because they are relentless.” She described an alarming pattern of abuse, claiming, “I don’t even know a single person in the movement who hasn’t been physically assaulted in some way by the cops.”

Concerns Over Police Conduct and Government Inaction

O’Brien’s comments highlight broader concerns over police conduct in Germany. She criticized the German state for obstructing efforts by other European Union members, including Ireland, to sanction Israel for its actions in Gaza. Despite recent initiatives by several German cities to offer refuge to sick and traumatized children from the region, O’Brien argued that the federal government has failed to adequately support these humanitarian efforts.

“It is the mark of a truly sick society when the state can deny help to severely ill children and face little opposition from the public,” O’Brien remarked. She urged the public to understand that the violence she faced is indicative of a systemic issue, stating, “the violence that you saw in that video is the rule of the Berlin police, not the exception.” She added, “This isn’t even the first black eye the Berlin police have given me and I’m pretty sure it won’t be the last.”

O’Brien also called for increased support for humanitarian efforts aimed at assisting Gaza, stating, “Keep escalating pressure on your government and the international community to take real action but remember that it is up to us to look after each other and fight for each other.”

On March 17, 2025, Berlin police confirmed they had been approached for comment regarding the incident. They announced that the offences watchdog had been instructed to review the assault on O’Brien to determine whether any aspects of the police response were disproportionate or potentially criminal. In their statement, police alleged that O’Brien had refused to comply with their orders and verbally insulted several officers, reportedly calling them “genocide supporters” and “f**king Nazis.”

This incident has sparked a renewed debate around police tactics during protests in Berlin, particularly those related to sensitive political issues. As tensions continue to rise, O’Brien’s experience serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by activists in their pursuit of justice and solidarity.