Status: 22/10/2022 16:10
Given the energy crisis, people demonstrated in several German cities. They ask for help for people with little money, the redistribution and expansion of renewable energy.
In several German cities today, people took to the streets for greater social security and a more coherent energy transition. A left-wing alliance of trade unions, environmental groups and social organizations had called for demonstrations. They took place under the motto “Solidarity through the crisis: create social security and end fossil addictions”.
Specifically, the “Autumn Solidarity” alliance provides targeted help for people with little money, the blocking of rents and the expansion of renewable energies. As far as financing is concerned, it is necessary to skim the profit excesses of companies in crisis, tax large assets and once again suspend the debt brake.
The “Autumn Solidarity” Alliance demonstrates for greater social justice
A. Kartschall / T. Rostek, ARD Berlin, daily news at 20:00, 22 October 2022
Meetings in six cities
According to the organizers, more than 2000 people demonstrated in Hanover, the police spoke of 1500 participants. In Dresden, initially several hundred people came to the demonstrations. Demonstrations also took place in Frankfurt am Main, Düsseldorf and Stuttgart. According to the Campact campaign platform, a total of 24,000 people demonstrated. Police assume fewer numbers.
In Berlin, police spoke of a “calm and relaxed” situation and estimated the number of attendees at rush hour at around 2,800. Protesters carried banners reading “We are fighting for every branch and every job” and “No Hamburg Port Sales to China”. The organizers spoke of 6,000 protesters. Around 20,000 attendees were expected in advance.
Several left party politicians took part in the protest march in the capital, such as social senator Katja Kipping, justice senator Lena Kreck and culture senator Klaus Lederer. The president of the Federation for Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND), Olaf Bandt, and the general director of the Joint Welfare Association, Ulrich Schneider also attended. Schneider had recently left the Left Party.
“Protective shield for services of general interest” he asked
There is great concern for people who can no longer pay for rising food and energy prices, said Sylvia Bühler, a member of the federal board of ver.di, at the Dresden demonstration. Sebastian Wegner, federal director of the social association Volkssolidarität, called for a “protective shield for services of general interest in order to also protect social institutions”.
Marissa Reiserer, Greenpeace’s transport and climate expert, said the energy transition and social justice go hand in hand. “If we now jointly finance the development of renewable energy, mobility for all and emergency energy aid for all who need it, we will together create the dawn of a just and safe society,” she stressed.
The government should not stake social and ecological issues against each other, the alliance, which includes BUND, Campact and the Parity Welfare Association, stressed. Long-term climate crises are not sufficiently taken into account in the measures against the energy crisis.
