In what may be the biggest police operation against gays and lesbians in the history of Germany's postwar Federal Republic, 160 police -- some in full riot gear and with guns drawn -- burst into the ZOOM disco in Halle in the state of Saschsen-Anhault on the night of June 7, 1996. The masked police officers ordered everyone to lie on the floor, and those who did not immediately respond were beaten with batons and bar stools. The 70 or so patrons present were then handcuffed and were not allowed to talk or move for up to four hours. A number of guests were strip-searched, and all were subjected to threatening, insulting and violent behavior on the part of the police. People without identification were taken to nearby police stations. All the patrons of the disco were filmed by police video cameras.

The police in Halle are claiming they were attempting to arrest drug dealers, although they only found one ecstasy tablet. The raid took place the day before the first Christopher Street Day (Gay and Lesbian Pride) Demonstration in the state of Saschsen-Anhault. Local gay and lesbian groups are regarding the police operation as a deliberate attempt to intimidate and suppress the fledgling gay and lesbian movement in the state. Many activist are concerned that the video footage of the guests will be used to create so-called "pink lists" - police files of known gays and lesbians.

In discussions at the Landtag (regional government) of Saschsen-Anhault, both the Gruenen (The Green Party) and the PDS (Partei des demokratischen Sozialismus) which is the new name of the former SED, the leading party in the former DDR (German Democratic Republic), have demanded a speedy, and thorough investigation of the case, and a public apology to the victims by the Minister of Interior, Herr Manfred Puechel who steadfastly refuses to admit any wrongdoing. Unfortunately, the SPD (Social Democratic Party) and CDU (Christian Democratic Union) controlled Landtag agreed to the investigation but refused to have the minister apologize to the victims of the raid, despite the fact that the SPD advocates equality for gays and lesbians in its platform.

Dr. Manfred Puechel, Minister of the Interior of Saschsen-Anhault in Germany, has stated that the police raid against the gay bar ZOOM in Halle was directed against drug criminality and not against homosexuals. He also stated that minority rights is an important issue to him. When it comes to the criticism of the violence used by police officers involved in the raid, Dr. Puechel wrote that an investigation underway, but that no conclusion has yet been made. The public will, however, be informed as soon as the investigation has been completed. Mr. Puechel also assured that the videos and written information regarding the guests at ZOOM will be dealt with according to the laws regulating such material, and that the material will not be used for so called "pink lists."

Local gay and lesbian activist in Halle have asked that letters protesting this gross injustice should emphasize the following points:

1. An apology on the part of the police to the patrons of the disco is still necessary despite Dr. Puechel claims to the contrary.
2. The full investigation into the events must proceed and with a appropriate legal consequences for those found responsible for this police action.

Letters can be mailed or faxed to:

Dr. Manfred Puechel
Interior Minister of the State of Saschsen-Anhault
Halberstadter Strasse 2
39112 Magdeburg, GERMANY
FAX # 011-03-91506701