On 11 September 1989, the riot police and the State Security Service had almost hermetically sealed off St Nicolas Church Yard in Leipzig. The visitors to the church service were confronted with massive chains of barriers. On that day, 104 arrests were made. The GDR state authorities wanted to set an example and acted with extreme severity. Some individuals had to remain in custody until the amnesty at the end of October. They had been sentenced in expedited proceedings by penal order, without an oral hearing, to prison terms of between four and six months. The accusation: assembling.
The arrests had, of course, become widely known. At the instigation of the Initiativgruppe Leben, a coordination group called "Leipziger Fürbittandachten für die Inhaftierten" (Leipzig Intercessory Prayers for the Incarcerated) was formed. Thus, on 14 September, an intercessory prayer took place for the first time in the Markus Parish. But the Reformed Church, as well as the Michaelis and Lukas Churches, immediately joined in. This form of prayer service became established in many cities across the Republic. Numerous protest letters were also written to state authorities demanding the release of the civil rights activists. "This protest against the Leipzig arrests contributed significantly to social mobilisation in September 1989," estimates Tobias Hollitzer, head of the Museum in the "Runde Ecke".
In Leipzig, public opposition against the state had meanwhile also emerged. The windows of the church facing St Nicolas Church Yard were constantly adorned with fresh flowers and candles, and a small placard demanded the release of the prisoners. "The brutal actions of the state authorities, intended to intimidate the people, had precisely the opposite effect. Many regained their voice and demanded fundamental reforms," Hollitzer says.
The police operation the previous week did not stop many people from coming again to the Monday Prayer on 18 September. Once more, the police had drawn tight chains of barriers around the church, where around 1,200 people gathered. Pastor Führer informed the worshippers about the events of the previous Monday and also read out the names of the detainees. According to a Stasi protocol, he stated that "the Volkspolizei officers involved were merely carrying out orders and in some cases had to act against their will". Afterwards, the Lindenau Peace Circle shaped the prayer with biblical texts on the theme of "wall". People then gathered once again on St Nicolas Church Yard, where leaflets with information about the police operation on 11 September were distributed. Once again, the authorities used loudspeakers to call on the people to leave the square. At around 6.40 p.m., the area was cleared. On that day, more than 30 arrests took place.
SED General Secretary Erich Honecker, who had resumed leadership in the Central Committee after a long illness, instructed the First Secretaries of the district leaderships in a telegram on 22 September that "these hostile actions must be suppressed at their core and no mass basis for them" should be allowed. Furthermore, it should be ensured that "the organisers of the counter-revolutionary activity are isolated". At the next Monday Demonstration in Leipzig on 25 September, more than 5,000 people were already taking part, demanding reforms and the legalisation of the New Forum, which had been banned by the Ministry of the Interior on the same day.
By Mathias Orbeck,
published in the Leipziger Volkszeitung on 18 September 2009
On the way to
9ᵗʰ of October 1989
Police cordons on St Nicolas Church Yard
First major demonstration on the Ring
On 25 September 1989, the first major Monday Demonstration in Leipzig took place, during which people marched along the Leipzig Ring. St Nicolas Church was filled to the last seat for the prayer for peace at 5 p.m. The church had to be closed that day due to overcrowding. Outside, the riot police and State Security once again marched up, sealing off St Nicolas Church Yard hermetically as they had on previous Mondays. Despite their presence, 1,000 people gathered in front of the church.
Inside, St Nicolas Church pastor Christian Führer announced that, “to ease the burden”, prayers for peace would henceforth also be held every Saturday in additional Leipzig churches. Afterwards, Pastor Christoph Wonneberger delivered a sermon on the topic of violence to around 2,000 listeners. “Whoever commits violence, threatens violence or applies it, becomes a victim of violence themselves,” he preached. And: “Those who take up the sword will perish by the sword.” This was not a fundamental questioning of state authority. However, state authority had to be effectively controlled – judicially, parliamentarily … “Our country is not so wealthy that it can afford such a gigantic security apparatus …” Wonneberger’s core message was: “We can do without violence.”
Frank Richter, a structural steelworker, also reported on violence he had personally experienced during demonstrations in Leipzig, for example in connection with the falsified local elections of May 1989. The singer Christa Mihm began singing “We Shall Overcome”, which the congregation joined in.
There were 1,500 police officers on standby. The Stasi had originally intended to deploy water cannons, but this did not happen. Minister Erich Mielke and Leipzig’s Stasi Lieutenant General Manfred Hummitzsch agreed on the tactics over the phone. The police were not to inflame the situation or allow themselves to be provoked. Later, the order followed to “arrest the active core” during a demonstration.
The demonstration then took place after the prayer. The security forces had sealed off access to the market square, but the police cordon in Grimmaische Straße was lifted. Therefore, the crowd first moved along Ritterstraße to Karl-Marx-Platz (today Augustusplatz). More than 5,000 people continued along Georgiring, eventually passing the main railway station and reaching the Blechbüchse, the “Konsument” department store at the time. Some chanted “Freedom” as well as “Freedom, equality, fraternity”. The “Internationale” was also sung. The people demanded the approval of the “New Forum”. On that day, it had been banned by the Ministry of the Interior and classified as hostile to the state.
The police initially did not intervene. At the “Blaues Wunder”, the demonstrators eventually turned back. “Apparently the demonstrators feared that the situation could escalate at the Runde Ecke,” said Tobias Hollitzer, head of the memorial museum in the “Runde Ecke”. It was only when about 1,000 people attempted to head towards the main railway station that the police reacted. Six people were arrested that evening.
Without a massive deployment of police resources, Lieutenant General Hummitzsch concluded, it would no longer be possible to “disperse such gatherings of people”. In his report, he demanded that the prayers for peace be banned. The church council of St Nicolas also took action: “We ask that such a demonstration of power by state organs be avoided,” they wrote in a letter to the SED district leadership.
The Leipziger Volkszeitung, then the organ of the SED district leadership, could no longer ignore the events. Under the headline “Order Disturbed”, it reported on 26 September 1989 on the last page that there had been “unauthorised and unlawful gatherings” in Leipzig city centre which “disrupted public order” and “temporarily impeded traffic”. The security forces were credited with “prudent behaviour”.
By Mathias Orbeck,
published in the Leipziger Volkszeitung on 25 September 2009
Chants: "We are staying here!"
After the first major Monday Demonstration on 25 September, when more than 5,000 people had for the first time marched from Karl-Marx-Platz via Georgiring to Friedrich-Engels-Platz, many functionaries of the SED power apparatus were on edge. In a hurry, measures were taken to push back "anti-socialist activities in the city of Leipzig" allegedly steered from the West. Thus, on 29 September, the SED district leadership presented a top-secret argumentation paper. "Leipzig’s city centre is being talked up as an anti-socialist place of pilgrimage in order to burden public order and security and to seriously disrupt the normal life of citizens," it stated.
The opposition was described as a "group of persons spoiled and pampered for quite some time". Some of these people would "smell the morning air" and "crawl out of their holes like rats". Western media, on the other hand, were said to be "lying through their teeth, praising these forces as apostles of freedom". A sinister role in "incitement and agitation towards anti-socialist actions" was also attributed to "people who wear the dress of the Church". The paper called for confronting these activities "by all means, with political responsibility and active engagement". It was also considered important that this information "must not be reproduced or passed on in any way".
The LVZ, at that time the SED’s regional newspaper, also responded with letters to the editor. Under the title "We want to continue living in peace and security", Leipzig citizens and a combat group unit commented on the "anti-socialist smear campaign" on 29 September 1989.
Nevertheless, on 2 October another demonstration took place – the largest protest in the GDR at that time since the 1953 uprising. The square in front of St Nicolas Church was cordoned off by the People’s Police and the Stasi, just as it had been on previous Mondays. The church, in which around 2,500 people had already gathered before the beginning of the Peace Prayer, had to be closed again due to overcrowding. This also meant that some of the deployed "social forces", as stated in an encrypted telegram to SED General Secretary Erich Honecker, could no longer get inside the church. A Peace Prayer was also held at the Reformed Church on 2 October.
More than 20,000 people marched around the Ring that day; other sources speak of up to 25,000. "One must assume a very high degree of spontaneity, as the demonstration was not organised by anyone," said Pastor Christoph Wonneberger in an interview published the following day. In chanting, people called for democratic reforms. "Erich, stop this nonsense, bring in Perestroika!" they shouted, for example. Calls of "Gorbi, Gorbi" also rang out, as well as "Legalise Neues Forum!". Many people underlined their desire to ensure greater democracy within the country. "We are staying here" could increasingly be heard in the chants.
The protest march initially remained undisturbed, moving along the Ring past the main railway station to what was then Friedrich-Engels-Platz. There it was stopped by a roadblock of police lorries. Some young demonstrators broke through the police line. They then marched past the "Runde Ecke", where chants such as "Stasi out" and "Free the detainees" were heard, and continued on to the market square.
After initial restraint, the police deployed truncheons and electric batons. The Combat Groups of the Working Class, armed units from large enterprises, had also assembled. The LVZ once again reported an "unlawful gathering of larger groups of people that impaired public safety and traffic in the city centre". Twenty men were arrested that day; most were released the same evening after receiving a warning. Administrative penalty proceedings were initiated against others.
"Decisions must be made as to whether this church service should continue to take place, as it has nothing to do with a church service any more," wrote Helmuth Hackenberg, the second secretary of the SED district leadership, to Honecker. These gatherings were increasingly turning into a haven "for anti-socialist and rowdy elements".
By Mathias Orbeck,
published in the Leipziger Volkszeitung on 29 September 2009
Police deploys water cannons
The people had long been seething: nevertheless, the party and state leadership in Berlin celebrated the 40th anniversary of the GDR. On the previous evening, 100,000 young people had already marched past SED General Secretary Erich Honecker and the guests of honour. There was also a military parade. In Leipzig, the highest security level was in force on the Republic’s birthday. Even the combat groups were on standby in their buildings. A peace prayer was not scheduled for that day – 7 October was a Saturday. On the market square there was a cheerful bustle – during the annual market days.
St Nicolas Church was decorated with flowers and candles. On the square in front of it, the People’s Police spotted the first groups of people around 10 a.m., meeting peacefully. Via loudspeakers, people were asked to leave the square. Just half an hour later, the area in front of the church was cleared for the first time. In advance, Stasi Lieutenant General Manfred Hummitzsch had instructed: “Hostile negative activities are to be resolutely prevented by all means.”
At 11.40 a.m., the first company of the VP rapid reaction force marched in with special equipment. All groups of people were quickly dispersed – like in a cat‑and‑mouse game. Tension hung in the air all day, and it rained. No one knew what would happen. Around 1.30 p.m., another 300 people were sighted on St Nicolas Church Yard. By that time, security personnel had already “taken in” 20 people, as it was called then. On the Agra grounds in Markkleeberg, the Stasi set up a so‑called detention point, to which those arrested were taken by lorry after initial questioning. The police operation was brutal, as participants later reported. The police marched in full gear with helmets and truncheons. They also had dogs with and without muzzles.
The police formed cordons. Around 5 p.m., an alarm was raised for the 1st combat group battalion. In the evening, for the first time, the police deployed water cannon on Karl-Marx-Platz (now Augustusplatz), which were also used. Spontaneously, another demonstration formed along the ring road, which was stopped near the main fire station.
Although the churches were closed, more than 5,000 people demonstrated in Leipzig alone on 7 October 1989. A total of 179 men and 31 women were arrested on that day, including 82 people who did not live in Leipzig.
“They were herded together under degrading conditions in the stables on the Agra grounds,” said Tobias Hollitzer, who heads the Museum in the Round Corner. Those affected later reported how the men were dragged down from the lorries. One after the other, they were lined up against the wall, their legs forced apart with truncheons. Eventually, ten or more were pushed into these horse stalls. Some had to stay there for more than 24 hours.
On the following Monday, 9 October, the LVZ, then the SED district newspaper, reported under the headline “Rowdies disrupt normal life” that the German People’s Police had ensured, through prudent action, that major riots were prevented and that the market days proceeded in an orderly fashion.
By Mathias Orbeck,
published in the Leipziger Volkszeitung on 7 October 2009
The day of decision
9th October 1989 is the day of decision. Since the early hours of the morning, bed sheets have been hanging on St Nicolas Church. "People, no pointless violence, pull yourselves together", can be read on them. Civil rights groups around Pastor Christoph Wonneberger have drafted an appeal that was laboriously reproduced 25,000 times and later distributed. It calls for a renunciation of violence.
St Nicolas Church Pastor Christian Führer is aware that on this Monday, despite all state threats, a large rush to the prayer for peace is to be expected. There are also threats by telephone. At schools and workplaces, official warnings have been issued not to go to the city centre under any circumstances, as this could be dangerous. Rumours are circulating that hospitals already have to prepare blood reserves.
Even among employees of state institutions, nerves are frayed. After previous demonstrations, such as on 7 October 1989, the state authorities in Leipzig want to "put an end to the spook once and for all". "Even the use of firearms is being openly threatened", says Tobias Hollitzer, head of the Museum in the Runde Ecke.
In the early morning, the SED district operations management notes that demonstrations can no longer be prevented. To "nip possible provocations in the bud", 3,000 armed forces and 5,000 so‑called social forces are mobilised. SED members receive the order to gather for the prayer for peace in St Nicolas Church, which is fully occupied after 2 p.m. Christian Führer welcomes the comrades: "I am pleased that you are here, I am only surprised that you have come so early, because the working proletariat does not have time until after 4 p.m."
Shortly before 4 p.m., several hundred people gather in front of the already overcrowded St Nicolas Church, who are no longer admitted. Throughout the city, police with dogs are present, and lorries with barriers are also ready. Shops and restaurants in the city centre are closed. At 5 p.m., the prayer for peace begins, organised by Pastor Weidel and the Working Group for Peace from Gohlis. Church services are held simultaneously in the Reformed Church, the Michaelis Church and St Thomas Church, which are also overcrowded.
From 5.30 p.m., the appeal of the Leipzig Six is read out on Leipzig city radio: Kurt Masur, Bernd‑Lutz Lange, Peter Zimmermann, and the SED secretaries Roland Wötzel, Jochen Pommert and Kurt Meyer have been united by their shared concern. "We are affected by the developments in our city and are seeking a joint solution", it says. They call for prudence so that peaceful dialogue becomes possible. The appeal is also delivered by university theologian Peter Zimmermann during the prayer for peace in St Nicolas Church. When around 2,000 people later leave the church, they are met outside by tens of thousands. Slowly, the procession begins to move.
This leads to the largest mass demonstration to date, with more than 70,000 people marching from Karl‑Marx‑Platz (today Augustusplatz) around the Ring. Chants such as "Gorbi, Gorbi" and especially "We are the people" become loud. There are also demands to allow the New Forum. It was not only residents of Leipzig who took part. Thousands had travelled from all over the GDR. The fear of whether there would be a "Chinese solution" runs deep. In addition to the police, the armed Kampfgruppe has also marched. People move closer together with candles. One call unites them: "No violence".
At around 6.30 p.m., Helmut Hackenberg, the 2nd Secretary of the SED district leadership, calls Egon Krenz. He expects a decision "from above". "Egon Krenz did something right for the first time. Because he did nothing", says Pastor Führer today.
At around 7.25 p.m., the situation becomes particularly precarious once again. The demonstration reaches the Runde Ecke, the seat of the Stasi district administration. The police, who had been stationed in front of the building, let the procession pass. But uncertainty is great on both sides that provocations could occur which might escalate the situation. Cheers break out among the demonstrators when the Stasi district authority is passed without incidents or riots. "We are the people!" once again becomes the slogan of the day. "We were prepared for everything, except for candles and prayers", Stasi chief Mielke is said to have remarked later.
At around half past eight, the demonstration disperses. Later, the first news reports about the day of decision in Leipzig are broadcast on West German television. In view of the masses on the Ring, the security forces withdraw. On this day, the heavily armed dictatorship must capitulate non‑violently to the courage and desire for change of tens of thousands. The GDR has changed. The beginning of the end has been heralded.
By Mathias Orbeck,
published in the Leipziger Volkszeitung on 9 October 2009