MOURNING VIGIL GERMANY announced that the first mourning vigil was originally planned for September 2, 2025, at Cologne Cathedral Square. Despite months of preparation and timely submission of the application, the event could not take place there; the cancellation was communicated only shortly before the date. Instead, the authorities offered a location outside the center, which, from the organizers' perspective, would not have had the desired symbolic effect. The group stated that they also wanted to remember the girls and women affected by sexualized crimes during the Cologne New Year's Eve of 2015/2016 with the mourning vigil. At that time, at least 661 girls and women aged 15 to 35 were registered as victims, including cases of completed and attempted rape. The group estimates that the actual number is much higher. It is open whether the next mourning vigil will take place in Cologne; otherwise, a visit may occur at a later date. The group explained that they wanted to set a visible sign with a stop in Cologne and not forget the victims. They stated they did not want to influence the outcome of a vote, but the location has great symbolic significance. #trauerwache #deutschland #köln #Silvester #gedenken #solidarität #mädchen #frau https://t.co/409m136JKV #trauerwache #deutschland #solidarität (translated)