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Thousands Join Kassel Public Iftar After Influencer’s Call

The grass-roots drive showed how online organizing can rapidly scale a civic gathering.

Overview

  • Police estimated up to 3,000 people gathered Wednesday evening on Friedrichsplatz, and the event concluded peacefully.
  • Heavy crowding at serving points led police to pause food distribution several times before helpers took meals directly onto the square.
  • Organizer Sidney Burnie raised about €18,000 via GoFundMe, with surplus funds pledged to the Tafel food bank.
  • Ahmad Grill Kebab donated the meals, and roughly 100 volunteers prepared and served both meat and vegan options.
  • The planned long table on Königsstraße was dropped after the city cited tram rerouting needs, and Burnie expressed interest in a larger, formally planned venue next year.