Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Love Parade was meant to brighten up depressed and rundown Duisburg, a grimy, industrial city in Germany’s Ruhr district. But disaster struck Germany’s last Love Parade on the afternoon of 24 July 2010. Hundreds of ravers were crushed in a stampede that erupted after panic gripped a huge crowd trapped in a tunnel leading to the Duisburg festival. It left 21 dead and at least 510 injured.
Four years on, the tragedy is still exacting a horrible toll on its innocent victims. Jorn Teich, who heads the LoPa 2010 support group, says he knows of five people who have since committed suicide because they were so traumatised by what happened. He told the Suddetusche Zeitung newspaper that there were scores of other desperate, young survivors who called his helpline late at night just to talk about the disaster.
After the tragedy, the Love Parade’s organisers permanently cancelled the event as a mark of respect for those who died or were hurt.
This autumn, state prosecutors are due to rule whether 10 of the organisers should stand trial for negligence. But Mr Teich does not welcome the prospect. “What help will it be to us if people go to jail or are fined?” he asks. “We don’t want revenge. We just want help.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments