Kurds in Berlin solidarize with hunger striking activists

February 23, 2019

Around 100 Kurds took part in a demonstration in Berlin. They showed solidarity with various Kurdish activists and politicians, including HDP member of parliament Leyla Güven, who went on an unlimited hunger strike in November last year.

However, the train stopped after about 150 meters, after the police prohibited a banner on which the portrait of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan could be seen.

Background is a hunger strike of hundreds of Kurdish prisoners to improve the prison conditions of Abdullah Öcalan. The Turkish government is accused of keeping him in solitary confinement and of denying him visits. The hunger strike began in November last year, and some prisoners are said to be in critical health.

Demonstration in Berlin to commemorate the beginning of the first Chechen war in 1994

February 23, 2019

A few dozen mainly Chechens gather on Pariser Platz in Berlin to commemorate the beginning of the so-called first Chechen war on 11.12.1994.

After Chechnya declared its independence in November 1994, the military invasion of the former Soviet Republic by Russian troops began a few weeks later. Around 80,000 people died and it is said that the Russian troops committed serious violations of human rights.

Left groups show solidarity with Nicolás Maduro in Berlin

February 23, 2019

Around 100 people took part in a rally in Berlin in solidarity with the allegedly socialist government under Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela. They called for an end to foreign interference and accused the United States under Donald Trump of attempting a coup against the elected government. The USA, as well as the European Union and various other states, have recognised the self-proclaimed interim president Juan Guaidó.

The left-wing publicist Victor Grossman also gave a speech.

The rally took place in front of the US embassy.

For the participants, the support of the opposition by Western states was in line with the policy of US interference in Cuba, Chile and other countries.
In addition to Venezuela's flag, flags of Russia and Cuba were also on display.

Memorial march in Berlin in memory of the victims of slavery and colonialism

February 23, 2019

For the thirteenth time, the "Commemoration March in Memory of the African/Black Victims of Enslavement, Colonialism and Racist Violence" took place in Berlin. Around 100 people moved through the Mitte district from the commemorative plaque for the so-called "Africa Conference" in Wilhelmstraße to the new building of the city palace.

A wreath was laid at the memorial plaque. There was a stopover at the underground station Mohrenstraße. For years activists have demanded that the street be renamed due to the racist context of its name.

The demonstration was reminiscent of the victims of the German colonial era and demanded both recognition of the genocide and reparations for the damage caused. The return of stolen cultural property and the bones of victims from the holdings of German museums was also called for. In addition, a speaker from London criticised the arbitrary demarcation of borders in Africa and called for a pan-African state.

Solidarity in Berlin with the uprising against the dictatorship in Sudan

February 16, 2019

Around 100 Sudanese and supporters demonstrated through Berlin Kreuzberg to express their solidarity with the protests that have been going on for months in Sudan. They demanded an end to the regime of dictator Umar al-Bashir and the transfer of the president to the International Court of Justice.

The background is nationwide protests in Sudan, which were ignited by the precarious situation of the population and recently by a price increase for bread. The regime is taking violent action against the protests. For many years the regime has been accused of massive violations of human rights.