On September 2nd, over 20,000 individuals staged protests in Berlin which took the form of dances. Conflicting with common associations of protests as violent and disillusioned, this stand against the German Federal Ministry of Transport’s plans to expand the A100 highway, portrayed an entirely different image. The affected area, well-known for its vibrant nightlife, stands to lose at least 21 clubs and cultural venues should the construction go forth, as per the
Club Commission’s report.
Auxiliary to this, a large scale protest was held on the August 27th titled the “Zug Der Lieben (Train for Love)”, which saw 13 NGOs band together to raise awareness about a range of issues. It would seem that the aim of such protests is to harness positive energy while asserting social objections and demanding changes.
Spokesperson for one of the participating organisations, Clara Duvigneau, stated that these protests represent a confluence of various groups such as climate change combatants, clubs and local residents’ initiatives. She further emphasised an ultimate goal of improving public transport infrastructure, implementing more bicycle lines and crafting a cityscape more suited to the pedestrian populace.
Despite the warmth and novelty of these protests, it remains to be seen whether they can effect tangible changes. While no formal negotiation process has commenced yet, the Berlin Club Commission is working towards influencing the situation through Parliament and Senate members who support their cause. They aim to keep the issue in the media spotlight, while an upcoming protest aims to combine informative panels with music, striving to stay true to the hedonistic style of protest that assigns Berlin its unique image.
Yet, for the time being, the German Ministry of Transport remains unequivocal in their backing of the project. A spokesperson reiterated the necessity of the expansion project, citing it as being crucial for managing future traffic flow as per
The Guardian.
Reviewing these ‘hedonistic’ protests, they are certainly not a new concept. Instead, they have a long lineage dating back to the hippy movement of the 60s, and presently, they align closely with Berlin’s active techno scene. From a legal perspective, it is evident that each protest, whilst greatly varying in form, must retain its political component. Hence, these somewhat unusual yet lively demonstrations aim to engage as many groups of people as possible, offering formal discussions situated alongside dynamic musical performances.