Berlin vigil on the 6th anniversary of the chemical weapons attack in East Ghouta, Syria

Berlin vigil on the 6th anniversary of the chemical weapons attack in East Ghouta, Syria

Several dozen Syrian activists and supporters protest in Berlin against the continuing bombardments of the Idlib region, still held by opposition rebel groups, by the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad and his ally Russia.

According to reports from residents, the regime is continuing its well-known tactic of attacking civilian targets such as hospitals.

The background to this is the ongoing fighting for the province of Idlib in Syria, which includes up to three million civilians. The region is still partly held by insurgents. Many civilians were previously driven to Idlib by the Syrian army and its allies from other provinces and are now trapped there. Russia and the al-Assad regime are accused of systematically carrying out a campaign against civilians by bombing hospitals and other civilian facilities.

Solidarity in Berlin with the Democracy Movement in Hong Kong

Solidarity in Berlin with the Democracy Movement in Hong Kong

Several dozen activists gathered on 17.08.2019 in Berlin in front of the Brandenburg Gate to show their support for the democracy movement in Hong Kong that has been going on for months.

On signs and in short speeches they pointed out the police violence in Hong Kong.

Some demonstrators blindfolded an eye with a bandage symbolically soaked in "blood". This is seen as accusation and solidarity with the victims through police violence. A demonstrator had lost an eye through police action.

The background is mass protests by hundreds of thousands of people in Hong Kong against a planned law that would allow citizens to be extradited to the People's Republic of China. Due to the lack of the rule of law in China, this led to prolonged demonstrations in the Special Administrative Zone, which was returned to China by Great Britain in 1997. Since then, the principle of "one country, two systems" has applied, guaranteeing democratic freedoms for Hong Kong citizens.

Although head of government Carrie Lam suspended the passage of the law, the protests did not stop. Meanwhile, Lam's resignation and an explanation of the police's actions are also demanded.

At the same time similar protests took place in several cities.

Berlin: "Stop the mass murder in Idlib!"

Berlin: "Stop the mass murder in Idlib!"

Several dozen Syrian activists and supporters protest in Berlin against the continuing bombardments of the Idlib region, still held by opposition rebel groups, by the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad and his ally Russia.

According to reports from residents, the regime is continuing its well-known tactic of attacking civilian targets such as hospitals.

The background to this is the ongoing fighting for the province of Idlib in Syria, which includes up to three million civilians. The region is still partly held by insurgents. Many civilians were previously driven to Idlib by the Syrian army and its allies from other provinces and are now trapped there. Russia and the al-Assad regime are accused of systematically carrying out a campaign against civilians by bombing hospitals and other civilian facilities.

Protest in Berlin in solidarity with the people in Idlib, Syria

Protest in Berlin in solidarity with the people in Idlib, Syria

Under the motto "Solidarity with the People of Idli", several hundred Syrian opposition members, including many fugitives, gathered in Berlin to protest against the continuing bombardment of the province of Idlib by the regime of Bashar al-Assad and his ally Russia.

On signs and in chants, the participants demand the withdrawal of Russian and Iranian troops, as well as pro-Iranian militias such as Lebanese Hezbollah. They also advocate the overthrow of the regime and a free, democratic Syria.

The background to this is the ongoing fighting for the province of Idlib in Syria, which includes up to three million civilians. The region is still partly held by insurgents. Many civilians were previously driven to Idlib by the Syrian army and its allies from other provinces and are now trapped there. Russia and the al-Assad regime are accused of systematically carrying out a campaign against civilians by bombing hospitals and other civilian facilities.

Seebrücke protest in Berlin against criminalization of rescue at sea

Seebrücke protest in Berlin against criminalization of rescue at sea

Several thousand people protested in Berlin against the European Union's (EU) policy of sealing off the borders, the right-wing government in Italy and the right-wing conservative course of the German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer (CSU) on asylum issues.

Under the motto "For the rights of refugees and #FreeCarola!", the Alliance Seebrücke Berlin called for a demonstration. Among the speakers is also the publicist Carolin Emcke, and a greeting from Seawatch3 captain Carola Rackete will be recorded.

The participants demanded open borders for those seeking protection and a stop to deportations. They opposed the criminalization of sea rescue by the European Union, but also by the right-wing government in Italy and Germany.

The background is the recent drama about the Seawatch3, which was brought to the port of Lampedusa by its captain Carola Rackete after a waiting period of about two weeks against a decree of the right-wing radical Italian Minister of the Interior. A court lifted the house arrest against Rackete two days later.

At the same time, demonstrations are taking place all over Germany. The alliance Seebrücke speaks of a total of about 30,000 participants.