Munich Police File Charges After Massive Snowball Fight at Pinakothek
Munich, February 25 – A large snowball fight involving approximately 300 participants in front of the Alte Pinakothek in Munich last week continues to generate discussion. The event’s organizer is now facing charges from the police for an unauthorized gathering, prompting political figures to question the proportionality of the response.
Organizer Charged for Unauthorized Event
The Munich police have filed charges against the individual who used Instagram to call for “Germany’s biggest snowball fight” in Munich. The charges are based on suspicion of organizing an unregistered event. A police spokesperson confirmed that the administrative offense report has been forwarded to the District Administrative Department (KVR) for further processing. However, the KVR stated that they have not yet received the corresponding file.
According to eyewitnesses, around 300 people participated in the snowball fight in front of the Alte Pinakothek last Friday. The initiator had previously invited people to the winter fun on Instagram, following heavy snowfall. “I don’t know if I’m the only one who thinks this idea is cool,” he said in his Instagram call.
Organizer Unaware of Registration Requirement
The core issue is that the organizer did not obtain a permit from the KVR. He stated on Instagram, after a conversation with the authorities, that he was unaware of the extent to which such registration was necessary. Subsequently, he urged participants not to throw ice chunks, embed stones in snowballs, or aim for heads. The KVR had advised him to retract the call, which at that point had already garnered 25,000 likes.
The matter has also caused a stir in political circles. The ÖDP faction in the Munich city hall submitted an inquiry, pointedly asking: “Is the KVR using a sledgehammer to crack a nut – or rather, a snowball?” The party seeks to understand how intensively social media is monitored for such calls and whether the organizer genuinely faces a fine.
ÖDP Questions Proportionality, Pinakothek Reacts Calmly
“It is undisputed that the city must keep an eye on larger gatherings of people. Safety comes first. But if a spontaneous, weather-dependent action attracts so much attention, one can at least question the priorities,” stated the ÖDP.
The Pinakothek itself, despite the event taking place on its grounds, views the situation with significantly more composure. Spokesperson Tine Nehler explained on Friday that people had fun and everything went smoothly. The only concern was to ensure that museum visitors were not unexpectedly hit by snowballs when exiting. “Otherwise, we found it amusing,” she said. Nehler jokingly pointed out that alongside perhaps Germany’s biggest snowball fight outside, the Alte Pinakothek houses Germany’s largest Rubens collection inside.
Source: dpa, hallo-muenchen.de
