[1][7] During the Wende, on 23 October 1989, the oppositional movement New Forum called for a demonstration after a peace prayer in the cathedral at the Alten Garten in Schwerin.

[6][8][9] Ziegner decided to hold a counter-demonstration on the same square at the same time,[6][8][9] which had been agreed with newly elected SED General Secretary Egon Krenz in Berlin.

[8] Reliable comrades were brought in as claqueurs for the staged demonstration of approval,[8] and an National People's Army loudspeaker truck played additional applause.

But since, according to the old SED method, nothing was to be left to chance, weapons were issued to officials, delivery and internment points were provided and the Combat Groups of the Working Class were mobilized.

[9] The SED put up posters advertising the demonstration as a dialogue event, but denied the Schwerin initiators of the NF the right to speak and openly threatened them during a preliminary meeting.

[8][9] Only a few hours before the demonstration, the NF group decided to leave the rally if the SED speakers spoke alone, which was quickly spread by telephone and word of mouth."

When Ziegner explained to them, among other things, that the SED had "no ear and no time" for "advice aimed at eliminating socialism," the NF group marched off the square, followed by most of the assembled demonstrators.

[8][9] On 3 November 1989, the Bezirk Schwerin SED removed him from the position of First Secretary and installed reformer Hans-Jürgen Audehm as his successor.

[1] Ziegner faced an arrest warrant 1990, an investigation being underway against him for breach of trust to the tune of millions of East German marks.