East Berlin 1963

This is a picture of a young man trying to cross the border. Behind him the east german police grabbed him. After this photo was taken, the police took him away.

In 1961, the Berlin Wall was built. First just some strips of barbwire, later the most fortified border in modern times.

This young man didn't make it. He was executed 2 days later. And so were dozens, hundreds of others who wanted to be free, who wanted to live their lives without oppression and fear.