Action taken for fireworks ban: 3 million signatures collected
In Germany, a campaign to ban fireworks, launched following deaths and injuries on New Year's Eve, has spread rapidly. The police union GdP has called on the government to implement a ban. 3 million people have supported the campaign.
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More than 3 million people have signed a petition to ban fireworks, initiated by the German police union GdP. The campaign gained momentum following tragic events on New Year's Eve. The police union is demanding a complete ban on both the sale and use of fireworks.
NEW YEAR'S EVE DISASTER
German authorities reported on the unrest that occurred in the country on the night of December 31. Berlin police announced that security personnel were attacked with fireworks in some areas, two people lost their lives in an explosion caused by homemade fireworks in Bielefeld, and many others were hospitalized with serious injuries. Following these events, the public began to support the view that fireworks should be banned.
INTENSE SUPPORT FOR THE CAMPAIGN
According to a statement by the Berlin police, more than 700,000 people signed the petition in the first days of the campaign. As a result, the campaign quickly found widespread support, and currently, approximately 3 million people have signed it. The petition emphasizes that fireworks must be banned to prevent a recurrence of the deaths and injuries that occurred on New Year's Eve.
PETITION TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE INTERIOR MINISTER
The German Environmental Aid organization and other non-governmental organizations will submit a petition with approximately 970,000 signatures to Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt. The petition demands a permanent ban on the use of fireworks by private individuals, not just during New Year's celebrations.
The German government is not showing a positive approach toward a nationwide, large-scale ban. However, the police union GdP has requested the implementation of limited bans in specific regions ahead of the Interior Ministers' Conference. It has been reported that the government has reached a consensus on fireworks bans in some cities and municipalities at the local level.
POLICE UNION SUPPORTS THE BAN
GdP Police Union Chairman Jendro stated, "Banning fireworks would not only ensure safety but also prevent environmental damage." In some regions, it was suggested that fireworks should only be permitted in designated areas. Berlin Branch President Stephan Weh warned the government, saying, "Politicians must take these demands seriously."