No, Freie Universität Berlin did not cancel the event. Due to security concerns, Freie Universität Berlin decided to offer the event as an online format and not in person at the university as originally planned. The planners of the event were provided with the opportunity to use Freie Universität premises for livestreaming the event. This offer was not accepted by Francesca Albanese and Eyal Weizman. At no point did Freie Universität cancel the event itself. The sole restrictions imposed by the university concerned the format in which it was to be held.

Freie Universität released the following statement on the topic: The Executive Board has decided that the public lecture and discussion with UN special rapporteur Francesca Albanese and director of the research agency Forensic Architecture Eyal Weizman, originally planned to take place on February 19, 2025, on Freie Universität’s campus, can no longer take place in person as a result of the current polarization surrounding the event and concerns regarding security. The Executive Board offered the professors organizing the event the opportunity to carry out the event online.

Freie Universität Berlin is committed to upholding its responsibility as a place of academic freedom and open discourse. A commitment to academic freedom means providing a space where controversial topics can be discussed. At the same time, universities must ensure that events dealing with such issues can take place in a setting that facilitates objective exchange. “Where can controversial debates be carried out, different points of view heard, and information placed within an academic context if not at a university? Academic freedom is protected by German Basic Law and is something that we cannot value highly enough. Increased polarization and political and public interference at universities negatively impact science and academia,” said Professor Günter M. Ziegler.

This decision was based on safety concerns due to the increasingly polemic situation surrounding the event. There were public calls to participate in the event from groups that had previously called to occupy Freie Universität Berlin or who had welcomed attacks on Freie Universität employees, such as the attack on the Präsidium building on October 17, 2024. There were also indications that counterprotests were a possibility. Previous experiences at Freie Universität and other universities led to concerns that the event would not be able to be held in the spirit of academic exchange. There were serious concerns that the situation could escalate into a confrontation – either before the event had even taken place or during the event itself. At the same time, the safety of university members participating in regular teaching activities and examinations could not be guaranteed.

No, the university did not prohibit the event from taking place in the form of a livestream. Freie Universität Berlin offered the professors who organized the event the opportunity to use Freie Universität premises as a location from which to livestream the event, provided there was no live audience. When this offer was rejected, the university raised no objections and took no action to prevent the event being broadcast live with an audience on AStA premises. After all, these were deemed suitable for the number of people who attended the event. However, some individuals did gain access to a lecture hall at the university during the livestream. As it was unclear how the situation would develop, the police were called. The situation was able to be remedied peacefully through negotiations.

According to the organizers, the speakers Francesca Albanese and Eyal Weizman rejected Freie Universität’s offer to hold the event exclusively online and insisted that the event take place in person. For this reason, the organizers looked for a different venue off campus.

Several politicians, including Governing Mayor of Berlin Kai Wegner, released public statements demanding that the event be canceled. However, the university’s decision was based solely on an internal security assessment and was unaffected by political pressure.

No, the lecture hall was not evacuated by the police. Following the decision made by some individuals to use Lecture Hall 1a without permission – instead of following the livestream at AStA’s premises – the police were called to provide support. This decision was made based on the fact that this lecture hall in particular had witnessed escalations in the past. As such, it was unclear how the situation would develop. Examinations had been held in the lecture hall before the event, and there were still examinations taking place in the lecture hall next door.

No, university management did not interrupt or prohibit the livestream in GalileA in any way. The room was large enough for the number of attendees and nobody was prevented from participating in the livestream.

Yes, the university was in close communication with the police in order to gauge the security situation. This is common practice for events that have the potential to be politically volatile. However, there was no contact with the state police, nor did the police announce that they were going to intervene in the event.

Initially, reporting on the topic was critical of the speakers invited to speak at the event. Later, the university’s decision to not permit the event to take place in person was criticized. In particular, the university was accused of giving in to political pressure.

The university has received open letters criticizing it for its decision. It has also received letters taking a critical stance toward the event and the individuals who were invited to speak at it.