David Hasselhoff Returns to Germany to Save Berlin Wall Being Demolished for Luxury Flats [VIDEO]
David Hasselhoff, most famous for his role in Baywatch has returned to the place of one of his career-defining moments, on a campaign to save the Berlin Wall.
The actor, joined ordinary Berliners in Germany and protested a real estate developer's plans to move part of the wall to make way for an access path for a luxury housing development.
"It's like tearing down an Indian burial ground. It's a no-brainer," Hasselhoff said.
In 1989, the star of Knight Rider stood atop the Berlin Wall and captured the hearts of millions of Germans with a New Year's Eve performance of his song Looking for Freedom.
"I didn't realise the significance of Looking for Freedom in east Germany until a few months ago," Hasselhoff said on Sunday. "On my last tour there were thousands of Germans holding up signs saying 'We love you, thank you for Mauerfall [the fall of the wall].'"
All that remains of the wall are two stretches, one of which is the famous East Side Gallery, decorated with murals by artists from across the world.
Berlin property developer Living Bauhaus has purchased the land from the Berlin senate and wants to knock down part of stretch, making way for access to luxury flats. The plans to move part of the East Side Gallery - a 1.3 kilometer (3/4 mile) stretch of wall painted by artists after the fall of communism and popular with tourists - sparked outrage of protests earlier this month.
Hasselhoff greeted crowds who have protested over the proposal. The protest attracted 10,000 demonstrators, and prompted Berlin mayor Klaus Wowereit to oppose the "unnecessary" demolition.
"This last piece of the wall is really sacred, it's the last memorial to the people who died and to the perseverance of freedom," Hasselhoff said. "It's very important to remember all the people who lost their lives in search for freedom."
According the The Guardian, the actor suggested that he might be able to raise the funds to help the campaigners save the wall.
"David offered to do anything to help, he said the wall was special to him," said Lutz Leichsenring, a spokesman for the Berlin Club Commission, launched a petition that has attracted 77,000 signatures.
"We've talked with him about creating an online platform to raise legal fees to fight the development," Leichsenring added.
