Movement dates in Berlin: What connects us, what connects them

Who belongs to society? Who is allowed to decide about family, gender and body? Who is considered “normal” and who is declared a problem? In asking and answering these questions, right-wing and Christian fundamentalist actors repeatedly find common points of contact: the heteronormative nuclear family as the measure of all things, the demand for a ban on abortion and the rejection of all other forms of sexuality and gender.

Whether they refer to a “God-given” or a supposedly natural order, their rhetorical patterns and subtle image constructions are similar, as are their anti-feminist and anti-queer perspectives.

Christian fundamentalist and right-wing movements are gaining influence worldwide. The “What the Fuck?! Alliance Berlin” also believes that it is all the more important to take a closer look at their overlaps. Every year, the alliance organizes the counter-protest to the fundamentalist “March of Life” and on Tuesday evening invites you to join experts at a panel event to analyze the connections between Christian fundamentalism and the extreme right, to look at the effects on democracy and society and to develop counter-strategies. (Tues., September 8th, 7-10 p.m.)

The star demonstration next Saturday shows that connections can look different. A week before the Belin House of Representatives election, a broad alliance of over 80 organizations, initiatives and unions from Berlin's civil society is taking to the streets together under the motto "Time for something to change".

The demonstrations start in different districts and move in a star shape to the Red Town Hall. They reflect the range of civil society engagement in Berlin: from mobility transition and climate protection to social participation and feminism to anti-racism and the protection of democracy. Included are, among others, “Grandmas against the right”, “Queerfem*March” and “Klimagerecht Berlin”.

Despite the different focuses, the focus is on what we have in common: the commitment to a solidarity-based, cosmopolitan, fair and sustainable Berlin. "Because we won't let ourselves be played off against each other. Because we stand together. Because it's time for something to change," the organizers write on their website. (Sat., September 12th, from 12.45 p.m., final rally at 4 p.m.)

On Sunday the campaign against racism and for democracy continues. For the 81st time, the Berlin Association of Those Persecuted by the Nazi Regime (VVN-BdA) is celebrating the Day of Remembrance and Warning. Survivors of concentration camps and prisons established the day of remembrance for the victims of the Nazi regime after the end of the Second World War on the second Sunday in September.

The VVN-BdA follows this tradition and with this year's motto "Remembering the past means resistance in the present!" a connection to the socio-political present and the ever-increasing danger posed by right-wing parties and movements.

With an anti-fascist bicycle parade at the site of the former forced labor camp on Onkel-Bräsig-Str. 2, the day of action starts at 12 p.m. and leads to the conference center at Franz-Mehringplatz 1, where various discussion panels, as well as music, information and food stands are on the program. (Sunday, September 13th, from 12 p.m.).