We are a group of activists from different cities in Thuringia and are planning a large anti-racist demonstration in which only the perspectives and voices of Black people and People of Color, refugees and migrants in East Germany will be represented on stage. We want to make our struggles visible and create space for mutual empowerment.
Anti-racism for us does not just mean giving speeches, but the opportunity to participate, to help plan and to shape the demo through music and art.
For us, anti-racism also means not remaining silent about Israel and Palestine. To make this possible, we have to treat each other with respect, listen to each other
and be open to rethinking things we have taken for granted over many years. We are convinced that racism and anti-Semitism have to be fought together and our struggles have to be connected. Especially now, especially in Thuringia.
The massacre in Israel on October 7 and the war in Gaza affect us in different ways. The last ten months have been characterized by suffering and pain, war and destruction, hunger, grief and anger. There is no end in sight. The hatred and division can be felt everywhere. The current genocide in Gaza and the brutal violence, disenfranchisement and settlement policy that Palestinian people have been facing for decades doesn’t receive enough attention and recognition in German media, politics and the German majority society.
At the same time, there is a new level of anti-Semitism in Germany, Jewish people live in fear for their safety. Many of the hostages from 7 October are still being held captive by the terrorist organization Hamas. Neither Hamas and its allies nor Israel’s far-right government have any interest in stopping the war and the suffering of the other side. In many debates in Germany, anti-Semitism and racism are played off against each other. Both Jewish and Palestinian people often experience one-sided expressions of solidarity and empathy. German politics is characterized by symbolic politics. Neither brutal police violence nor deportations are a solution to anti-Semitism!
This decades-long conflict is complex and multi-layered. It is wrong to blame “one side” alone. Our solidarity goes above all to the civilian population and those who have been campaigning for human rights and peace in the region for decades. We stand up for the end of the war, for the release of the hostages, peace, humanity and justice.
We try to make the impossible possible and claim to make the demonstration a safe space for all people. This is no place for nationalism, racism, anti-Semitism, queerphobia, sexism, Islamism and ableism. Don’t bring national flags, party flags and maps.
We don’t want any trouble with the police. We also want to be able to act and look out for each other in the event of hostilities and attacks by Nazis. That’s why it’s important to be de-escalative within the demonstration. If you feel uncomfortable with something at the demonstration, talk to each other and approach the people with the armbands. We will try to find solutions together.
For questions or feedback on the demo consensus, please contact antira-demo-erfurt@riseup.net