Wegner commemorates victims of East German uprising of 1953

On June 17, thousands of people demonstrated in East Berlin for freedom and self-determination. (File photo)

Berlin's Governing Mayor Kai Wegner paid tribute to the victims of the East German uprising of June 17, 1953. "Seventy-three years ago, thousands took to the streets in East Berlin and other East German cities to demand freedom and self-determination," the CDU politician said. 

"What began as a labor dispute over increased work quotas quickly turned into a popular uprising against the GDR regime. More than 50 protesters lost their lives at that time." The SED regime reportedly imprisoned around 15,000 citizens and sentenced thousands of innocent GDR citizens to prison terms of up to several years.

Democracy, freedom, and self-determination "not to be taken for granted"

"The victims of June 17, 1953, remind us that democracy, freedom and self-determination cannot be taken for granted," said Wegner. "We will defend our democracy, our freedom, and our peace - against enemies both within and without. We owe that to the victims of June 17."