How Americans in Berlin Experienced the 2020 Election

How Americans in Berlin Experienced the 2020 Election

Caitlin Hardee, an American who’s lived in Berlin for almost 10 years, slept badly beside her laptop on Tuesday night awaiting results she knew would not come by morning. With the presidential election still undecided until Saturday, Americans in Berlin haven’t slept much at all last week.

Because Donald Trump hinted he would declare victory before all mail-in ballots were counted, Democrats Abroad, the overseas chapter of the Democratic Party, organized a “Rally in Berlin for free and fair elections in the United States” in front of the Brandenburg Gate on Wednesday to demand all votes be counted. Around 50 people attended the rally with little commotion, but police were present to ensure social distancing measures were followed. Emily Lines, the vice-chair for Democrats Abroad, said that only two counter-protesters came to the rally. One of the counter-protesters was not an American, but still chose to support Trump and was not wearing a mask.

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The Fight For Climate Justice Unites over 270.000 People in Berlin

The Fight For Climate Justice Unites over 270.000 People in Berlin

The Global Climate Strike took place earlier today in Berlin, as well as in many other cities across the globe. Fridays for Future, the movement started by young Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, announced that around 270.000 people went to the streets in Berlin, which is a number much higher than anticipated. It was for sure the biggest demonstration I have ever been to, even bigger than the Europe demo in the Spring and the #unteilbar demo last Autumn (not counting Christopher Street Day).

This turnup and the engagement of the people in the fight for climate justice was really impressive to see, but who impressed me the most were the young people and kids that came, screaming and chanting at the top of their lungs with such a level of seriousness that went into my bones. I think their cry for justice was the most powerful element of the entire parade. I cannot imagine how it must feel for kids growing up with the understanding that previous generations (including ourselves) have majorly fucked up the future of their planet.

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Why Berlin Needs to Step up for the LGBTQI* Rights in Poland

Why Berlin Needs to Step up for the LGBTQI* Rights in Poland

Poland is only a two hours bus or train ride away. Still, the situation for LGBTQI* people could not be more different than in Berlin. The politics of the strictly catholic neighbor country is still holding on moral concepts of the 40s. Assaults and police brutality against members of the Rainbow spectrum became more in the last years. These are issues that queer activist from all over the world are becoming aware of and want to tackle on. 

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The Lights of the Revolution: Join Berlin’s Biggest Public Performance

The Lights of the Revolution: Join Berlin’s Biggest Public Performance

On Sunday, the 11th of November 2018 you will have the chance to be part of a unique creative performance with TOOLS FOR ACTION. Their latest artistic project “Signals, Resonating Revolutions” is a collaboration with Kulturprojekt Berlin and the choreographers of Tänzer ohne Grenzen, and you can take part in this creative resistance to fight for unity and the good values in our society!

On the 11th of November,  Berlin celebrates the 100th anniversary of the German Revolution, namely when the first German democracy was proclaimed in Berlin and basic rights, like the right to assemble, freedom of opinion and votes for women were established.

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