'Ich bin ein Berliner' 4. July 2005
>> Installation to express support for preserving Checkpoint Charlie

BERLIN, July 1, 2005 - On Sunday July 3, a temporary photomontage will be erected at Checkpoint Charlie to demonstrate international support and solidarity for preserving this monument to the struggle for freedom. The installation will consist of a montage of approximately five photos illustrating the history of Checkpoint Charlie and the division of Berlin. Under the theme "Ich bin ein Berliner - I support preserving Checkpoint Charlie as a monument to the struggle for freedom." visitors to the site will have the opportunity to sign their name and provide their country of origin on the installation.

The installation will consist 8 sections of material measuring 2 meters wide and 8 meters long. Five sections will include enlarged photos by Guenther Schaefer illustrating the fall of the Berlin Wall. The installation designed by Anselm Bonies is sponsored by Calumet Photographic, Best Berliner Stoffdruckerei/Fahnenfabrik and print works berlin gmbh. Three sections are designated for visitors to provide their name and country of origin. The installation will be draped over and fastened to the sections of the Berlin Wall Memorial located on both sides of Friedrichstrasse, facing Zimmerstrasse.

"The installation is an opportunity to demonstrate broad international support for preserving this icon of history. Bulldozing this site as Independence Day fireworks explode in New York and across the United States simply seems the worst of all possible resolutions to the current situation. I appeal to the parties taking this action to reconsider, there are better means to a solution." stated Henry Nickel, Chairman of the Republicans Abroad in Germany. "We simply won't let this pass without expressing our hope that the memory of communist brutality, struggle for freedom and legacy of international solidarity against oppression never be bulldozed." 

Volunteers will be mobilized across the city on Sunday morning July 3 at 11 a.m. to invite visitors to visit Checkpoint Charlie and sign their name on the installation. An Independence Day BBQ will follow in Berlin-Mitte from 17:00 to 21:00. The goal is to maximize public turnout on the site from Sunday until the scheduled demolition on July 5 and provide as many signatures and expressions of support as possible.  Those wishing to get involved contact Henry Nickel at +49 (0)173 1077632.

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