February 29, Berlin – Marsch zum Gedenken an die afrikanischen Opfer von Versklavung, Handel mit Versklavten Menschen, Kolonialismus, Neokolonialismus und rassistischer Gewalt
The Committee for an African Monument in Berlin is happy to organise a march in 2020 to commemorate the African victims of enslavement, trafficking enslaved people, colonialism, neo-colonialism and racist violence.
For the fourteenth time we will gather in Berlin to recognize and honor the worldwide contributions of resistance fighters* and survivors. Together we will celebrate the emancipatory struggle for freedom , our diverse cultural heritage and achievements of people of African descent. For one generation this is a wonderful reminder of what was part of their past. For other participants it is a symbol of belonging or solidarity.
As we take to the streets of Berlin in this march, we strengthen each other with poetic, musical performances. We turn to questions related to enslavement and freedom, especially those that are part of the present reality of people of African origin around the world and especially in Germany.
Recent events such as the human trafficking/trading Furthermore, the illegal organ trafficking of refugees or needy people, forced migration, climate change, anti-black racism on the globe…
On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Peaceful Revolution and German Unity, the German government advertised in October 2019 with the campaign “Das ist so deutsch”. It was celebrated and a balance was taken of the fall of the wall. However, people of African origin cannot celebrate the double standards.
Germany celebrates peace at home and supplies most of them with weapons of war which, among other things, destroy the African continent through war. It is hardly reflected in the political landscape on the role of Germany in the slave trade, ongoing colonialism, genocides, crimes against humanity, forced labor, physical, physical and racial violence against people of African origin. This behaviour is also “so German” for people of African origin in Germany
Instead, the “colonial past” is to be dealt with tentatively, in which the German “colonial past” is traded as a genuine German brand product/capital without the participation of victims and survivors of German colonial crimes. Instead of investing sustainably in restitution and reparations, investments will be made in the construction of a new castle in which gods and art objects stolen from their past are proudly presented and should serve as a source of income. For people of African origin this is” so German”.
The return of human remains is proceeding slowly. Just as the renaming of street names honoring colonial criminals*. Despite the “Durban Declaration” and the “UN Decade for People of African Origin”, a central memorial for the victims of German enslavement ,colonialism or racist violence is still missing.
The need for reparations and the need for people of African descent to create their own environment to promote productivity and justice that drives healing. We look forward to walking this path with you.
Marching route:
Laying of a wreath at the commemorative plaque at Wilhelmstr. 92 -/M-Strasse /Authority of Foreign Affairs /Lustgarten in front of Humboldt-Forum
