1967 shooting of Benno Ohnesorg

1967 shooting of Benno Ohnesorg was a pivotal event in the history of West Germany, marking a turning point in the country's Student movement and the rise of Left-wing politics in Europe. The shooting occurred during a protest against the visit of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi to West Berlin, which was organized by various Student unions, including the Sozialistischer Deutscher Studentenbund (SDS), and supported by Rudi Dutschke, a prominent figure in the German student movement. The event drew widespread attention and sparked outrage among Berliner, Frankfurter, and other German people, leading to increased tensions between the West German government and the New Left movement, which included groups like the Kommune 1 and the Außerparlamentarische Opposition (APO).

Background

The shooting of Benno Ohnesorg took place against the backdrop of growing unrest and protests in West Berlin, which were fueled by the Cold War and the presence of the Berlin Wall. The Free University of Berlin was a hub of Student activism, with many students, including Rudi Dutschke and Gudrun Ensslin, participating in protests and demonstrations against the West German government and its policies. The visit of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi to West Berlin was seen as an opportunity to protest against the Monarchy of Iran and its human rights record, as well as against the Imperial State of Iran's close ties with the United States and the NATO. The protest was organized by a coalition of Student unions, including the Sozialistischer Deutscher Studentenbund (SDS), and was supported by various Left-wing groups, such as the Kommunistische Partei Deutschlands (KPD) and the Sozialdemokratische Partei Deutschlands (SPD).

The Shooting

On the evening of June 2, 1967, a protest against the visit of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi turned violent, with Police and protesters clashing in the streets of West Berlin. During the chaos, Benno Ohnesorg, a 26-year-old University of Berlin student, was shot in the head by Karl-Heinz Kurras, a West Berlin police officer. The shooting occurred in a courtyard on Krumme Straße in the Charlottenburg district of West Berlin, where a group of protesters had been cornered by the Police. The event was witnessed by several people, including Rudi Dutschke and other prominent figures in the German student movement, who were shocked and outraged by the brutality of the Police.

Aftermath

The shooting of Benno Ohnesorg sparked widespread outrage and protests across West Germany, with many Universitys and Colleges becoming hubs of Student activism and protests. The event marked a turning point in the German student movement, which became increasingly radicalized and Militant in the following years. The West German government, led by Chancellor Kurt Georg Kiesinger and the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), faced criticism for its handling of the protests and the shooting, with many accusing the Government of Police brutality and Human rights abuses. The Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) and other opposition parties also condemned the shooting and called for an investigation into the events.

Investigation and Trial

The investigation into the shooting of Benno Ohnesorg was led by the West Berlin Prosecutor's office, with the assistance of the West German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA). The investigation found that Karl-Heinz Kurras had acted alone in shooting Benno Ohnesorg, but many questions remained unanswered, including the circumstances surrounding the shooting and the role of the Police in the events leading up to it. The trial of Karl-Heinz Kurras was widely publicized, with many Media outlets, including the Der Spiegel and the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, covering the proceedings. The trial ultimately resulted in a conviction for Manslaughter, but many felt that justice had not been served, given the circumstances of the shooting and the perceived leniency of the sentence.

Legacy

The shooting of Benno Ohnesorg had a profound impact on the German student movement and the left-wing scene in West Germany. The event marked a turning point in the protests against the West German government and its policies, with many Student unions and Left-wing groups becoming increasingly radicalized and Militant in the following years. The Red Army Faction (RAF), a left-wing terrorist group, was formed in the aftermath of the shooting, with many of its members, including Gudrun Ensslin and Andreas Baader, having been involved in the German student movement. The legacy of Benno Ohnesorg continues to be felt in Germany today, with many regarding him as a Martyr of the Student movement and a symbol of resistance against Oppression and Injustice. The event is still commemorated annually in West Berlin, with many demonstrations and rallies taking place to mark the anniversary of the shooting. Category:1967 events