On Saturday morning, the historic work of dismantling Pusher Street in Christiania in Copenhagen began.
– Pusher Street must die, so that Christiania can live, says Copenhagen’s Lord Mayor Sophie Hæstorp Andersen after the first sods are laid.
After a high-profile gang-related murder in Christiania in August last year, residents in the district agreed to close the street, where open drug dealing had been going on for several years.
Many people made their way to the Copenhagen district of Christiania on Saturday morning to see the street one last time.
– The work is in full swing, and the paving stones are being pulled up all along Pusher Street. Today it is symbolically marked when the Minister of Justice and the Lord Mayor are here, says TV4 Nyheternas reporter Mikael Nilsson, holding up a piece of the paving stone that has been dug up.
– This day is the beginning of the end for the deep roots that organized crime has in this district, says Denmark’s Minister of Justice Peter Hummelgaard to TV4 Nyheterna.
Formed in the 70s
According to Peter Hummelgaard, it is a historic day in several ways.
– For the first time in 50 years, authorities and the residents of Christiania are working together towards the same goal, says Hummelgaard.
Christiania was created in the early 70s when occupiers settled in the defense forces’ old barracks in the Christianshavn district of Copenhagen.
– Christiania was created because of the housing shortage, and now 50 years later, housing is being built and will be built here in the area. Many welcome it, says Mikael Nilsson.