German groups planning to protest against Pope Benedict when he visits Berlin later this month said on Monday they will challenge a decision by local authorities banning them from holding rallies anywhere near where he will speak.
The German-born pontiff will begin his Sept. 22-25 German tour in Berlin before continuing to Erfurt and Freiburg. Anti-Pope rallies are expected in all three cities, where many are unhappy about his conservative views on birth control, abortion and the rights of homosexuals.
A Berlin alliance of 54 groups, led by the German Gay and Lesbian Association (LSVD), wants to stage its rally in front of the Brandenburg Gate -- about 300 meters from the parliament building where the Pope will speak.
The organisers expect about 20,000 demonstrators to take to the streets.
"It must be possible to hold a peaceful demonstration within ear-shot of the Bundestag," said LSVD director Joerg Steinert. The association has spoken out against the decision to allow the Pope to speak in the Bundestag.
Whereas thousands of demonstrators marched in Madrid earlier this month against the cost of the Pope's visit, the German protests are chiefly aimed at the Vatican's conservative views, organisers said.
Local officials rejected their application but offered two alternative sites further away from the government quarter.
"We're going to fight to be able to hold the rally there," said Pascal Ferro, a spokesman for the LSVD. He said they had not given up hope of holding the rally at the Brandenburg Gate, which has become a symbol of German unity after being surrounded by the Berlin Wall during the Cold War.
The protesters are not the first to be banned from holding an event at the site.
As a U.S. presidential candidate in 2008, Barack Obama had his request to speak at the Brandenburg Gate rejected by the German government, which deemed it inappropriate to use the monument for a campaign rally.
Obama ended up speaking 2 km away before a crowd of 200,000.
The protesters want to rally at the Brandenburg Gate at the same time Pope Benedict is due to address parliament.
Officials gave no explanation for the ban.
When Benedict's predecessor, John Paul, visited Berlin in 1996 he faced hecklers who hurled abuse and made obscene gestures as he made his way by Popemobile to the Brandenburg Gate for a farewell ceremony.
Some shouted "Go to hell" and "Get lost" while a naked woman protester streaked in front of the glass-sided Popemobile.
Some media reports said the vehicle was also hit by eggs or tomatoes.
Hans Langendoerfer, a German Jesuit and the secretary of the German conference of Catholic Bishops, said there were concerns that the demonstrations could turn violent this time round too.
"I'm worried that there are some violent people out there who will attempt to take advantage of the peaceful demonstration and thus counter the purpose," he told Focus magazine.
But he added: "Free speech is an important concern for the Church."
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