Protest in Lichtenberg: Demos against the vacant apartments at the Stasi building

Protest in Lichtenberg: Demos against the vacant apartments at the Stasi building

On May 31, 2025, a protest against the vacancy of apartments took place in Berlin, which reached its climax on Ruschestraße in the Lichtenberg district. Several people broke into an empty building at the former Stasi headquarters. With the motto “Vacancy in the City” the demonstrators wanted to draw attention to the urgent problem of unused living space. The owner of the building responded to the incident and filed a trespassing report.

After several hours, the activists left the building; some did so independently, while others were carried out by police officers. The eviction was peaceful, which both police spokesmen and original reporting confirmed. It was unclear how many people were in the building in total, as police could not specify the number.

Emergency services on site

The police deployed 190 officers to support the operation. 40 to 50 supporters gathered in front of the building to show their solidarity with the protesters. This demonstration was part of a larger call to draw attention to the grievances surrounding the housing market in Berlin. The combination of empty residential buildings and rising rents caused increasing discontent among the population.

The action reflects the growing tensions in urban areas, where the pressure on the housing market is increasing. Many are not only demanding more affordable housing, but also a sustainable solution for the numerous unused properties in the city.

Overall, the protest at the former Stasi headquarters shows the citizens' desire for change and the need to bring the problem of vacant housing into the focus of the political discussion. The call for participation in a fairer housing situation in Berlin remains current and urges answers from those responsible.

For further information you can consult the reports from South German newspaper and Daily Mirror be consulted.