For the first time in Weinheim, our very own home-bred "Weinheim bleibt bunt" alliance that cuts across political barriers, profit and non-profit organisation, activists and the general public has organised and successfully run a day of "Buntes Festival" - loosely translated "Coloured Festival" to symbolise tolerance and inclusion. It is our first Cultural event, featuring artists and prominent figures from Weinheim, presenting a united front against racism.
The reason is as retaliation against the rightist NPD's party convention, held the same weekend of the 21 and the 22 of November. As a judicially non-avoidable action (in name of "free speech" and democracy), the "Weinheim bleibt bunt" alliance, created in 2014, counter attacks NPD's party convention, by organising various non-violence demonstration and cultural activities, by strategically placing the event right opposite their convention venue.
The "Weinheim bleibt bunt", represented by the "Coloured Dog" symbol, is to counter the "Brown shirts", by promoting tolerance and anti-discrimination values.
The "Buntes Festival" combines culture and activism in the same space, sharing common goals of countering exclusion through music. Held for the first time, it has the very intention for promoting an environment of fellowship and respect, and aims to continue visibly to challenge street level far-right extremist political movement.
One unavoidable feature to the day is the far-left extremists. Although they are clearly here to protest against the NPS, they are also rather anarchist in nature. At the end of the first day, many of them have managed to either gotten themselves arrested, pepper-sprayed or water hosed. Last but not least, the "Buntes Festival" itself that started from 10am and lasts to 10pm.
Our local SKA/Reggae/Rock band, the Dr Woggle and the Radio provided the ultimate grand finale curtain call to the event with this upbeat number. We went home holding a little piece of sunshine, while humming to the tune..oh yea.. "bring lo..v.e...., love to the loveless..."
Here are some highlights of the day:
The reason is as retaliation against the rightist NPD's party convention, held the same weekend of the 21 and the 22 of November. As a judicially non-avoidable action (in name of "free speech" and democracy), the "Weinheim bleibt bunt" alliance, created in 2014, counter attacks NPD's party convention, by organising various non-violence demonstration and cultural activities, by strategically placing the event right opposite their convention venue.
The "Weinheim bleibt bunt", represented by the "Coloured Dog" symbol, is to counter the "Brown shirts", by promoting tolerance and anti-discrimination values.
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| http://weinheim-bleibt-bunt.de/buntes-weinheim/ |
The "Buntes Festival" combines culture and activism in the same space, sharing common goals of countering exclusion through music. Held for the first time, it has the very intention for promoting an environment of fellowship and respect, and aims to continue visibly to challenge street level far-right extremist political movement.
One unavoidable feature to the day is the far-left extremists. Although they are clearly here to protest against the NPS, they are also rather anarchist in nature. At the end of the first day, many of them have managed to either gotten themselves arrested, pepper-sprayed or water hosed. Last but not least, the "Buntes Festival" itself that started from 10am and lasts to 10pm.
Our local SKA/Reggae/Rock band, the Dr Woggle and the Radio provided the ultimate grand finale curtain call to the event with this upbeat number. We went home holding a little piece of sunshine, while humming to the tune..oh yea.. "bring lo..v.e...., love to the loveless..."
Here are some highlights of the day:
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| Speeches from the "Weinheim bleibt bunt" alliance members |
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| Amored police team with the far-left extremist |
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| Police in place to prevent violence from the far-left |
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| A riot of colours to counter browns |
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| Of music and colours for tolerance |
