I’ve been living in Berlin for the better part of a decade now, and one memory that still stands strong, is attending the Occupy Berlin protest in 2012. As we’re trying to claw our way out of the pandemic and people like Besos and Musk have only gotten more wealthy at the expense of others, there seems an urgent need for the Occupy movement to come back.
The Occupy Berlin protest saw over 8000 people come together (and 10,000 more in Frankfurt) to protest social and economic inequality. The occupy movement began in July 2011 and quickly spread all around the world. People started by camping out on Wall Street in New York with the hopes of bringing about positive change.
Memories From Germany’s Occupy Berlin Protest In Photos
Joined by my friend Adam, we set about to observe the local Berlin protest in action. As we approached the crowd, we saw the human chain they forged around Germany’s parliament building. The chain was then broken and the crowd briefly gathered on the lawn.
What did we see? Happy, smiling people playing musical instruments and carrying signs with various messages.
We were then directed by men using loud speakers to proceed to Brandenberger Tor. Once there, many enthusiastic speeches were given took place. Sadly, as I was so new here and my German so poor that I was unable to understand what was being said. I can’t imagine myself having disagreed with much, as we were all there for the same reason.
It’s a bit depressing now to think that no progress has been made to address wealth inequality at all. The über rich continue to pay no taxes, buy mega yachts, fly their phallic shaped rockets into space, all the while failing to pay their workers decent wages or firing those who try to start a union. The pandemic only further exposed how unjust our world is, as the wealthy have only gotten richer while the average person continues to suffer.
Protests like these are obviously not enough to make to effect any meaningful change and to be honest, are usually reserved for privileged white people who want show solidarity with a movement but rarely take any concrete action. However, large gatherings would bring attention to the issue and perhaps trigger something more substantial.
While the photos from this protest are now dated, I’m leaving them here to capture a memory of an important time and place. A sort of documentation of our inaction, if you will.
What do you think about the Occupy Berlin protest? Are you angry that nothing has changed and it’s only gotten worse? What should we do about it?
Good To Know
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- 10 Cool Things to Do in Berlin (That Won’t Break the Bank) – Travelling to Berlin on a budget and want to enjoy the city? Check this list of fun & list cool things to do in Berlin.
- A Berlin Walking Food Tour With Eat-the-World – Walk and eat your way through the German capital by taking this Berlin walking food tour through Neukölln with Eat the World.
- Berlin Christmas Market Guide, Weihnachtsmarkt Schloss Charlottenburg – One of Berlin’s most beautiful Christmas markets is set at the foot of the city’s largest castle, the Schloss Charlottenburg.
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Cheryl,
I’m glad the weather cooperated, and lots of people showed up. Thanks to your post and photos, it was a lot like being there.
@fotoeins – Thanks, it was an amazing experience.
“We don’t want to bail out stupid greedy fuckups” – love it!!
@Andrea – That sign was my favorite!
This is really interesting to see. Especially because I just visited the occupy protest in DC. It’s amazing how much this movement has spread.
@Elizabeth – thanks for your comment. I certainly hope that positive change will spread as a result of the occupy movement. 🙂
I am intrigued most at how global this has become. Its really shows the power of a combined effort. “We don’t want to bailout greedy stupid fuckups” should be one of their slogans – I certainly agree.
@Sherry – I’m also intrigued … will be great to watch how it progresses.
Always good to start off a post with the f-bomb 🙂
Cool to see international perspectives on this international issue.
@Stephanie – Ha ha … got to keep it real. 😉 I’m really impressed by the movement but no so impressed that many of the camps have been getting shut down over the past couple of days.
Interesting to look at all the signs, as they all start with #Occupy. Very twitterish kind of protest!
@Jarno – I like the signs too … I like how original some people get … like the lady riding around with the wall street bull on the back of her bike!
I agree with you and Andrea, that sign definitely caught my attention.
@Laurel – It’s kind of hard to ignore it that’s for sure. 😉