Bully of Berlin’s professional ice hockey team “Eisbären” meets his fellow bear of “Berlin gegen Nazis” – photo: Theo Schneider
In the morning of July 1, Berlin gegen Nazis hosted two photo shoots at sports events in Berlin Mitte. The 8. Interkulturelle Fußballturnier von Narud e.V. under the slogan „Fluchtursachen bekämpfen“ in the Berlin district of Wedding, as well as the Respect Gaymes 2017 organized by LSVD – Lesben- und Schwulenverband Berlin-Brandenburg e.V. posed together with “Berlin gegen Nazis” fuzzy bear against the right-wing extremist demonstration taking place in the afternoon and showed their solidarity with all counter-protestors.
Rise and shine against right-wing extremists at Berlins main train station – Photo: Berlin gegen Nazis
With more than 300 participants, the demonstration of Berliner Bündnis gegen Rechts, a joint initiative of diverse associations, and leftist as well as antifascist groups, set a clear sign against right-wing extremism marching through the neighborhood of Spandauer Vorstadt from Rosenthaler Platz towards Berlin’s main train station. The demonstration lead to an event organized by the initiative at Hauptbahnhof, right next to the right-wing extremist’s demonstration starting point. Berlin gegen Nazis’ own inflatable bear was positioned within eyesight of the right-wing extremists. Many Berliners made use of Berlin gegen Nazis clap banners to make sure their protest was heard. Due to the change of the marching route, which was only announced at short notice, there were hardly any prepared counter-protests by neighbors along the route. Berlin gegen Nazis has yet again pointed out this problematic practice of a lack of information of residents affected by right-wing extremist protests. As rbb reports here („Berlin will künftig Ort und Zeit von Demos veröffentlichen“), a change to the law regarding the right to gatherings is presently discussed.
Protests of the neighbors in the Spandauer Vorstadt neighborhood in the Mitte district
Counter-protests at Koppenplatz organized by the neighborhood initiative – Photo: Berlin gegen Nazis
The neighborhood initiative Anwohner_inneninitiative für Zivilcourage – Gegen Rechts organisierte had organized three events in the area on the day of the right-wing extremist demonstration. Additionally, there was the demonstration of Berliner Bündnis für ein weltoffenes und tolerantes Berlin, a joint association of churches, trade unions, and further civic organizations, which also took place in Spandauer Vorstadt. The aim of the registration of several events was to oppose the right-wing extremist demonstration and not let it pass the neighborhood unhindered, as it had been the case in November 2016. Thanks to all registered events, the right-wing extremists’ marching route was changed.
Despite the fact that thus, the residents of Spandauer Vorstadt were not directly affected anymore by the demonstration, the events were well-attended and successful, despite the averse weather conditions. All in all, more than 400 participants took part and set a clear sign against right-wing extremism. The whole neighborhood, including many children, joined to take the streets against right-wing extremism. The atmosphere of solidarity and friendship was complimented with a diverse program of couch surfing and drum sessions on Ackerstraße, choir concerts and readings of biographies of Jewish neighbors during the Nazi regime on Koppenplatz, as well as literary and musical program at Gipsstraße/Auguststraße. On Monbijouplatz, at the event organized by “Berliner Bündnis für ein weltoffenes und tolerantes Berlin”, speeches were given by spokespeople of the German Trade Union Confederation, the Evangelical Church in Germany, the AWO public welfare office Mitte, as well as Türkischer Bund Berlin Brandenburg – TBB. At the neighborhood initiative’s events, speeches were given by Bundestagsvizepräsidentin Petra Pau (Die Linke) as well as by local politicians in the district of Mitte, Eva Högl (MdB/SPD), Özcan Mutlu (MdB/ Bündnis 90/Die Grünen) and Ms Jasper-Winter (MdA /FDP).
Berlin gegen Nazis supported the neighborhood initiatives in the planning and execution of the counter-protests, and is hoping to be able to support further initiatives protesting “Wir für Deutschland (WfD)”’s seventh march under the slogan “Merkel muss weg”, announced to take place on September 9, 2017.
Pics of the day: Protest against the right-wing extremist demonstration of July 1, 2017
8. Interkulturelles Fußbalturnier – Wedding Foto: Theo Schneider
Respect Gaymes 2017 Foto: Theo Schneider
Counter-protest against the right-wing extremist demonstration starting at Berlin’s main train station – Photo: Berlin gegen Nazis
We are many. BERLIN GEGEN NAZIS – Photo: Berlin gegen Nazis
Counter-protests on Ackerstraße organized by the neighborhood initiative – Photo: Berlin gegen Nazis
Counter-protests at Gipsstraße/Auguststraße organized by the neighborhood initiative – Photo: Berlin gegen Nazis
Counter-protest event at Koppenplatz at the Nelly Sachs memorial organized by the neighborhood initiative – Photo: Berlin gegen Nazis