Politics · Germany · 5 hrs ago
Jan Josef Liefers warns violence could disrupt planned Berlin protests
Actor Jan Josef Liefers has warned that violent troublemakers could join planned Gen Z protests in Berlin this weekend.
He spoke in a podcast with author Alexander Broicher about protest, democracy and the risk of violence.
Liefers took part in a major demonstration on Berlin’s Alexanderplatz on 4 November 1989, when he was a young actor in East Germany.
He says protesters then wanted to change the East German ruling system, not damage shops or cars.
He understands young people protesting today but fears violence could discredit their cause.
Berlin shopkeepers are preparing for possible unrest, and security forces are on alert.
The protests are expected this weekend, but their outcome is uncertain.
Actor Jan Josef Liefers warned that people intent on violence could disrupt planned protests in Berlin.
He said he understood young people’s protest but feared that violent participants would discredit it.
Liefers contrasted the planned demonstrations with the peaceful freedom movement in East Germany in 1989.
He recalled speaking at a major demonstration on Berlin’s Alexanderplatz on 4 November 1989.
His comments appeared in an interview with Bild and a podcast discussion with author Alexander Broicher.
- Who
- Jan Josef Liefers warned about the protests. Young people are expected to take part.
- What
- Liefers said violent participants could disrupt the protests and undermine their message.
- When
- He spoke ahead of protests planned for the coming weekend. The article was published on 30 October 2026.
- Where
- The protests are planned in Berlin and other locations.
- Why
- Liefers feared that people seeking violence could join the protests and discredit them.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Liefers spoke at a large demonstration on Berlin’s Alexanderplatz in support of freedom.
Bild published Liefers’s warning ahead of planned weekend protests.
Protests are planned in Berlin and other locations.
- Speaker
- Jan Josef Liefers
- Publication date
- 30 October 2026
- Historic demonstration
- Alexanderplatz, Berlin, on 4 November 1989
- Podcast
- Liefers + Broicher
- Co-host
- Alexander Broicher, 53
What people are saying
Kaputtmachen wollten wir das SED-Regime, das einbetonierte System. Aber keine Schaufenster. Keine Autos abfackeln und keine Rathäuser anzünden.
Ich glaube, ich verstehe die Kids und ihren Protest.
Wenn an Halloween hier wirklich wieder der Punk abgeht, dann werden sich, wie in Frankreich auch, alle altbekannten Knalltüten und Idioten daruntermischen, und den Protest kompromittieren.