Swimming demo in Berlin: Protest against 100 years of ban on swimming in the Spree!

Swimming demo in Berlin: Protest against 100 years of ban on swimming in the Spree!

On August 12, 2025, the Spree will be the scene of an unusual protest. The Flussbad Berlin association is calling for a swimming demonstration against the bathing ban that has existed for 100 years. Several hundred people are expected to take part in their swimwear and make their way to Schinkelplatz to express their dissatisfaction with the existing regulations. As nordkurier.de reports, the participants will take a symbolic dip in the water from 5:30 p.m., after a rally will take place at 5:00 p.m. with speakers from politics and activism.

The first swim-along demo this year, which took place on June 17th, was a complete success with around 400 people in attendance. Given the clear weather forecasts and the current water quality, the Flussbad Association hopes to carry out the campaign now. There have been some setbacks in the past, such as a lack of response from the administration and the Berlin Senate to the demonstrators' demands. This makes the efforts of activists even more important.

A call for change

The organizers are calling for the blanket ban on swimming in the inner-city Spree to be lifted. Violators face fines of up to 25 euros - a circumstance that is unacceptable for many citizens. Laura, a participant, also sums it up: “The water here is not used, it lies idle unused.” She is part of a movement that demands the environmentally conscious and climate-friendly potential of the waters for the community. The Flussbad association has been campaigning for the creation of bathing areas in the Spree for years and sees this as an important step towards improving the quality of life in the city. nd-aktuell.de reports on the activists' plans to make the water accessible to the population and thus bring a piece of climate justice into people's hearts.

The event is lovingly prepared: participants are encouraged to put on creative swimming outfits and design posters. A printed wrap-around fish will be raffled off as a prize for the best poster and the most creative outfit. The dazzling protest is not just a demonstration, but also an invitation to everyone to stand in solidarity for access to this valuable living space.

So the question remains: Will this swim-along demo bring about decisive change? The activists are determined to usher in a new era for the Spree. Community mobilization is at the heart of this movement. Informative reporting on the event is an opportunity to encourage other cities to rethink and promote conversation around water access and urban quality of life.