University students gathered on the Rotunda steps Tuesday night to tear down a mock Berlin Wall to commemorate the 16th anniversary of the falling of the real wall that used to separate East and West Berlin.
The event was put together by the Network of Enlightened Women and drew a turnout of about 25 students. NEW founder Karin Agness said she was pleased with the event.
"The event was a huge success," Agness said, who began planning for the event last Thursday and promoted it by tabling on the Lawn all day Wednesday.
The event began with a set of speakers and included a reading of part of the Declaration of Independence. In addition, a member of the University Guide Service spoke about the history of slavery at the University. German Society President Douglas A. Melchior gave a chronology of the events in Germany that preceded the fall of the Berlin Wall.
"I'm glad that some political groups took the time to recognize this event and its bearing on the freedom of humanity," Melchior said.
After Melchior's history, excerpts from Ronald Reagan's June 12, 1987 speech at the Brandenburg Gate in West Berlin were played. The students tore down the mock wall shortly thereafter.
"We wanted to make it more personal, and all the freedom we had at U.Va. we wanted to all feel," Agness said.
Editor's Note: Douglas Melchior previously worked for The Cavalier Daily Photography Department.
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