Zurück/Back | Deutsch | English
Talk by Barlast (Studis gegen Rechts)
at the climate strike on Apr 11, 2025The traffic light coalition is dead, thanks Lindner, you and your damn FDP, thanks to you a new government had to be formed quickly. A government that we have had many times before and that has brought nothing, absolutely nothing forward during this time. At least we can still say about this government: It is not yet the AfD, but just a person who likes to cuddle with them and adopt their policies.
While issues like climate change, affordable housing, and the rights of marginalized groups have long been at the top of our priority list, the Union prefers to adopt right-wing narratives. Instead of facing these challenges, they question the funding of organizations that are dedicated to exactly that. Organizations that take to the streets against the far-right and defend our democracy from slipping into fascism.
Even before the federal election, the Union posed 551 questions about the political neutrality of state-funded organizations. Why? Because many of these organizations openly criticize the unconstitutional proposals of the Union – and their party leader, who makes openly racist, misogynistic, and queerphobic statements.
Even before the election, civil society engagement was deliberately discredited – and the work of numerous initiatives was put under political pressure. This is dangerous. Because it normalizes and legitimizes the criminalization of activism. This has recently become increasingly evident in Germany, with examples such as the prosecution of five members of the Last Generation by the Munich Public Prosecutor's Office. They are accused of forming a criminal organization – a paragraph that is actually used against terrorist groups! Five years in prison are at stake. Or: the case of Lisa Poettinger, who is not allowed to enter her teaching internship because of her climate activism – and thus cannot become a teacher.
These are just the first measures being taken to intimidate activists; everything is being tried to keep the damn system as it is. The Union knows exactly what the masses can achieve when we act together against grievances; evidence for this can be seen in women's rights movements around the world or the end of apartheid in South Africa. Just like back then, we must not be intimidated and must continue, no matter what is thrown at us. If the pressure from the streets is great enough, this government can also be pushed towards progressive measures. And that MUST happen. Climate change does not wait. We need consistent, effective measures now – no compromises, because there are no compromises when it comes to our future. No standstill! No giving in! Our issues belong on the agenda. And the inhumane policies of the right must not be given any space. We must maintain the pressure – especially now that the CDU is in power. Compromises and downplaying of climate change have been made so often in recent years that none are possible anymore. It’s about our future, so we should decide, and that’s why we are here.
We are here, we are loud, because Merz is robbing us of our future!!!!! (literal translation of a demo shout)