So a short walk away from The Wall away from the hop on hop off crowd I headed to Kopi Platz.
Some nice stuff on the way there
Kopi, is a squat, set up in 1990 by a bunch of left wing anarchists, punks and others seeking an alternative lifestyle. It consists of the above building, built in the early years of the last century, bomb damaged during WW2 and never renovated nor repaired. together with a wagenplatz, "yard" that houses vehicles for those who wish to remain mobile.
Since the early 2000's there has been a lot of "smoke and mirrors", surrounding the sale of the property, deceit and lies involving local and Albanian businessmen!
I got the impression that it would be pointless trying to get some internal shots, and well, no point in trying to find any of the inhabitants to "strike a pose"
There was no one even looking after a "yard sale". I have always maintained a (misguided?)philosophy that the less a person has, the more trusting they can be. I didn't buy anything; I didn't steal anything.
So strolled around the perimeter, snapping away.
I can understand the sentiment.
2017 quote by the Berlin Police "in general, it can be determined that the object Köpi 137 serves both as a retreat for left-motivated criminals and as a starting point for crimes."
I just love the reply. "the presence of police on our site is often met with hostility, the parking of tourist buses and structural changes in the area are perceived as an expression of gentrification processes. Displeasure about these things occasionally results in criminally relevant actions."
The raw art in the area made a change from the professional stuff.
I don't think these guys appreciate shutterbugs
In September 2021 an eviction order was served on the residents, somewhere short now of just 50, to quit by mid October.
Over 1,000 people demonstrated in the area in support of Kopi, policed by 800, seems a bit over the top.
Kopi still stands, the residents remain in situ.
